Thick Skinned

Quick post, just to update you on today. It seems like something new happens each day, there is never a dull moment.

First a funny story or two and then on to the tough stuff. My colleague and good friend, we'll call her Mrs. J, had a 6th grader ask her today if "babies were pooped out or came out where you pee?" She had to explain that there is a third hole. Glad it wasn't me! We had a good laugh about that though.

Also, one of my 7th grade girls said "Mrs. are you having a bad hair day?" I said, "Does it look like I'm having a bad hair day?" She responded with a sympathetic "Yes". Awesome! Why thank you so much for the boost of self-esteem. Honestly though, it just made me laugh about how blunt these kids can be. I don't point out their acne or awkward, developing bodies now do I?

Now, my day seemed like it was pretty low-key minus one situation. The day before a vocabulary quiz I like to play a spelling game called "sparkle". The students get into it and it helps with their spelling. One of my 8th grade classes was playing and a boy, we'll call him Joe, spelled a word wrong. He turned a shoved another boy. I gave him a detention. A 13 year old should know better than to use two hands to shove another student in class.

I called Joe's parents and left a message letting them know the situation and that he had a detention and they could call me if they needed to talk. After school I get a phone call from the rents. The father proceeds to tell me that Joe did nothing wrong and that he shouldn't get punished. Once I tell him that I'm sticking to my guns and Joe should not shove students in class he gets angrier and claims that he is going to give Joe his permission to "kick their a**". I responded with, "Joe will have to deal with those consequences then." The dad yelled a few cuss words at me and told me I "don't listen to s**t" and then hung up. I stayed very calm, courteous, and professional throughout the phone call but when he yelled those things at me the tears started to flow. This was the first time I have cried this year in front of colleagues. I always save it for the drive home or in my classroom but I couldn't hold it in this time. They were very supportive and said they had my back. Mrs. J gave me a big hug.

This isn't the first time that Joe's parents have argued against my discipline of Joe. Joe is a fairly intelligent kid, an only child, but a huge jerk. Joe believes he does nothing wrong and Joe is always right. No wonder this kid is this way, his parents believe he's an angel. I don't have any children yet but how can parents blatantly disrespect a teacher while sticking up for their son SHOVING another child? I'm developing thicker skin than I ever thought I would have. I've had 2 parents hang up on me this week and it's not even Friday yet.

Whew,
Teach