The Problem with Kids These Days.

Aside from having good parenting I was a pretty amiable kid. When someone said shut up, I usually shut up, If a teacher was talking I listened, and I can remember all of 1 time in which I had OCS in 7th grade, in fact I can't remember where OCS was in high school, that's how many times I went there.

I've said it once but I will say it again, I do not understand the motivation behind being a rude or disrespectful kid. Where is the payoff? They get the immediate satisfaction of "besting an elder in front of their peers," but this victory is short lived once they are in the principles office or have some other sort of behavior correction. The last couple of days have given me a couple of examples of kids who have been just Rude.

School site : CHS

Ssubject: English

I've kind of let go of my tough guy exterior, I used to try to yell and scream at the kids but this was never really productive, I was never convincing enough or the situation would just backfire on me. So as a substitute I have been much more reactive, you do something wrong you get punished for it, kind of like the real world, if you break the law there are consequences. I was having trouble with this class in general, they were all at risk students so I was actually pretty liniment, one thing I will not tolerate however, is rudeness. During the second part of this class I mentioned that I would not allow cell phones out, they are not supposed to be out any way. Well one male student had his out and I gave him plenty of chances to put it away, he was grumpy but not rude. The female student next to him took this to the next level. She placed her book in front of her phone, to "hide it." I told her it does no good, I know you are still on your phone, please put it away. To which she responded by displaying her phone more prominently and giving me a " I don't give a damn what you say" look. So off to in-house she went. Really, I assure you,your conversation was not worth getting a referral over. I'm sorry was I infringing on your time during my time? Yeah, it doesn't work that way.

School site: BMS

Subject : History

I finally get to teach a little bit, I have all of an hour to put my lecture together, but this should remind me why I wanted to teach, right? Well during my lecture I finally get the kids to settle down, except for one student sho kept making a gaging noise when I talk. I asked him to stop, and he starts arguing " I didn't do anything, " sure you did that's why I called you out, there is more arguing, really all he needed to do is be quiet at this point and concede that he was being rude but no he steps it up by saying, " be quiet with your stupid goatee." I.E. please give me a referral. The old substitute me would have huffed, puffed and sent him out, instead I was calm continued my lecture an wrote him a referral.

Once again where is the motivation? If I talk and I'm a jerk then I will be the greatest ever. The greatest what? It really makes no sense to me, and all of this animosity because you simply can not shut your mouth? It boggles the mind.

Last, but certainly not least,

School site:BMS

Ssubject: History

Same day by the way, next period. I've had this student in the past, somewhere along the way I lost his respect and this is always the hardest because I do not feel effective as a teacher, and these kids have even less respect for a sub than normal. He will not read, he will not stop talking, and even after I ask him to stop he just continues being a neusance. Even the RSP sub has taken notice to this kids behavior. When I tell him I'm going to write him up he says" it's just a piece of paper, it doesn't mean anything…" 

I should mention that this kid has "identified special needs," but honestly I think he us just BSing. He's a smart kid, I know he is, but he has been allowed to get away with murder for so long that no one questions it. His whole motivation has been to see how much of a rise he can get out of the substitute, so I've kind of played it poker faced with this kid, so far is has been a better avenue, we'll see, I know this is not the last I have seen of him. 

This kid kept talking throughout my whole lesson, so i wrote him a referral. 

UPDATE: I had this kid for two periods today, I was definitely concerned, but I did my poker face routine and he was actually a lot better today. He would get up out of his chair and I would ask him to go back to it, and this was much better than trying to compete with him. I let him know he could ruin everyone's break if he was not quiet during the movie, and he was even quiet. 

So I did not emphasize it too much in my description of the days incidents but the problem with kids these days are their parents. In fact the kid in the last story had his parents pick him up early because he didn't feel like staying, this is of course his parents enabling this type of behavior. If I acted a fool like this and I got a call home, and a referral, there would have been consequences. Does this not happen now adays? I realize, once again that I had great parents and my mentality was never to defy them, or anyone of authority for that matter, but is there no motivation to just not be a jerk now these days? I can, by no means, claim to be an expert on parenting, but I have always lived by the ideal that you should treat others as you would want to be treated, but if everyone is being treated the way these little jerks treat me, then I am afraid for the future. I know things are not all rainbows and flowers, but if would be nice if they could treat the other human being in the room decently for the whole 60 minutes they may ever see them in their life. 

Substitute teaching continues to be a challenge, my abilities, and my motivation, are put into question almost everyday, but I forge on bravely, or stupidly, really it is hard to tell. 

The Drifter

School site: CHS
Subject: Where ever the heck they put me.

The holidays wiped me out. Retail is absolutely brutal that way, the funniest part is the majority of the stress came from our lack of trained staff. They were trained enough to preform their jobs, but certainly not psychologically prepared for what they would encounter. This of course is a post for different blog, so on to today's, insanity(?)

I've mentioned once or twice how impersonal substituting is. The mentality I receive most days is " you're not my real teacher..." which is followed promptly by bout of apathy regarding the person conducting the class. Don't get me wrong some classes are great, but this is often brought about by great teachers who have set a calm atmosphere for the class, a routine, and ultimately have some kind of personal connection to their students. This is what they taught us in our credential program, and it is evident in some classes, but if I had great classes everyday this would be a very boring blog.

I don't think I have found a less personal experience than being a roving sub. My assignment this week was to watch some classes while the teachers went to discuss a student's Individual Education Plan or IEP. These are for students who have been identified as having trouble in their classes. This student could have special needs ranging from bad vision to an auditory processing problem. Basically if the student needs specialized attention for a learning disability that has been -identified- if will be in this IEP and all teachers who have student will have to adhere to these guidelines.

So basically the teacher is out for a period, at the most, and many teachers do not have a sub plan written out for this occasion, I mean it's only one class. So I have encountered classes where I just sat and watched them goof off the whole time, to classes where they had a PowerPoint set up for the students to take notes on. This kind of amused me because before they left they did not really go over much of the content of the PowerPoint, but rather teaching me how to run the PowerPoint. I was polite because they obviously do not know my background, but seriously? I am well aware of how to run a PowerPoint. These were very simplistic explanations too, I mean

" So, just press the arrow forward to go forward, and press it back if you need to go to the previous slide, remember there are different things going on during the slides so press the 'forward' or 'back' arrow"

"Yeah, got it... "

The structure brought on by the teacher I'm subbing for is what I often rely on to have a decent day, but in these cases I only have an hour to really get accustomed to this structure. On a normal day I only see the students for an hour anyway, but I'm able to get a feel for the impact the teacher has made on their students. Do the students hate them? Are there pieces of  " I love (teacher)" art everywhere? Does the teacher's desk look like a tornado hit it? These are all indicators of the kind of day I'm going to have. I can also get a feel for the type of students I'm going to encounter based on the first couple of periods, there are of course exceptions to this rule. The schools social network is also a buzz "Hey there is a sub in so and so's class" " Oh yeah he's cool!" or "Aww I hate that guy, I'm going to ditch." In the end I leave a pretty detailed note of how the day went and let the teacher really deal with anyone who was disrespectful or went against the rules of the class.

I don't get these kind of experiences being a roving sub, I literally show up, sit with the kids, or conduct whichever activity they were in the middle of, and 30 to 59 minutes later I'm out of there. In some respects it's like a band aid *poof* it's gone. On the other hand I need to work hard to find the flow to my day as a rover, which truly helps me set the teachings of my Sensei into perspective, "Your movements must be fluid, ever changing, both pulling and pushing, like the Yin Yang"

Would I do it again? Heck yes, I have definitely been in worse situations, block classes and alternative schools to name a few, I think the biggest downfall I see to roving is that I really am trying to progress in my career, and this feels more like I am filling space rather than "Teaching." You could literally stick anyone in that classroom for those 30 minutes, with the obvious exceptions, Herbert the Pervert, or a serial killer, and the students would be fine.

I was wiped out from the holidays, and not looking forward to dealing with more rude kids after retail hell, but subbing for a friend and roving this week has brought back the gluten in me, it has instilled some confidence in me, "Hey I'm still capable of handling myself in a classroom," and I think I'm ready for more abuse. This is of course once more jobs become available, the beginning of the quarter is usually very light, but you can see the semester wear down the teachers, and progressively more jobs are available midway through the semester.
Substitute teaching is an experience

Music Maestro?

School Site: BMS
Subject: Band

I never learned how to play an instrument, my dad had a guitar that we always took out around Xmas time, strummed an incoherent song, and then promptly put away. That was the extent of my musical exposure until I was in high school, where a friend of the family gave me all of 4 lessons on how to read music. The point I'm trying to make is, with the exception of my voice and an innate sense of rhythm I really do not have a lot of experience in band, at all so, of course I was excited to sub for this class.

I get in, grab my key, and head to the band room. I check out the lesson plan "P 1-5 make sure they play the whole time"…  ok. Before school even starts there are a number of students who wanted to practice, cool! be my guest. Thus far it seems like people want to be in this class, unfortunately my experience has told me to not let my guard down until the end of the day.

In the lesson plan it mentioned that each class had a conductor, if I did not know how to. While I have no experience in conducting, I would imagine it is not hard, what I did not know, however, was the songs they were working on, so I let the student conductor take over, they were excited to do so,  i mean how often do you get to take control of your peers as an adolescent?

Period 1: Advanced band

Mostly 8th grades, a talented bunch, they had the most music to work on, there were instrument I usually only see in band, I mean how often do you see a Bassoon solo? They got through their set list quickly and then it was like, "Now what do we do Mr. C….?" Umm… So, they went over some other random songs and then back over the concert set list, let me tell you I head mary had a little lamb so many times today.

Period 2: Intermediate band

This group was a little more apprehensive about playing, but they were actually really good, their conductor did great, they too sped through the set list and so she started having people do solos, and sectioned off portions of the various songs, "Now just the clarinets…Now the flutes and trumpets, etc." This was a great solution to filling in time, I'm glad she was able to keep the class on track.

Period 3: Beginning Woodwind

This, I hate to say, was probably the least experienced group of the day. I don't really have a lot of room to talk because I'm sure if I tried to play one of these instruments I would sound pretty horrible, but with nothing to really do this was probably the most painful class to sit through. I commend their effort, but this is definitely why they are in class, to practice practice practice. This period's conductor was wonderful, she had them go through the set list, and then various other songs, basically she just kept them engaged the whole time, and this is really the key with Middle school kids. This group needed practice, but they were a good group of kids.

Period 4: Beginning Brass

When I read the previous sub's assessment of this class I was worried, "Rude and disrespectful," Uh oh. So I laid down the fear of god, i.e. The AP, and they were actually really good with me. No one really knew how to conduct in this class, which I'm sure was part of the behavioral problem the day before. We made it through though, and I can't help but think, how does this band director place his students? This class was saturated with Trumpets with some trombones, tubas, and french horns, but there was also a flute and a clarinet. Their sound was completely washed out of course, but I imagine this was the only time band fit into their schedule.

The band director does his best to be very inclusive, anyone who wants to join band, can, no questions asked. So this leads to two things, 1)Some of his classes have 44 students, holy crap!. 2) He teaches in the afternoon at the elementary school… I read this in the description, after I accepted it, but I went along with it.

Elementary School:
My rule is "If I can't see them, I can't teach them" but, rules are meant to be broken so I ventured forth "Where no Gabe had gone before," well, as a teacher at least. I was greeted by a shoddy classroom, which is mostly used for storage, the door sticks and P.E. equipment, random toys and creepy dolls are everywhere… ok. My first class came in, a group of 3 boys and 3 girls, their behavior was, ok, I had to kind of lay down the stink eye on one kid, but he straightened up pretty quickly. Did I mention there was no student conductor? So, I put on my white whig, long coat tails and did my conducting debut. I figured I was just keeping things congruent, such as the start, and keeping time for the group. I think I did ok, it didn't seem like anyone was really paying attention to me.

My last period was with this really mousy girl, she was very sweet, and quiet.

"Hi there, so, you just want to practice the set list for the concert?"
"yes"
"Mary had a little lamb here we go"
"You wanna do clockwork next?"
"yes"
"Alrighty, should we start at measure 39?
"no, 44"


It was cute, and it made a great end to a fun day. I'm not sure that I want to go full force with this and do a full class day at the elementary school, this was definitely enough exposure for me, but it made me less apprehensive should I happen to have a split assignment again.

Band was great, I wish I could have followed along a little better, or have been more help, but it was ok the kids were good, and for the most part excited to be there. Band is one of those electives where the students actually want to be there, so the day is usually pretty good. Some electives, like "record keeping" the students are shoved there, but that is a story for another post.

Theatre, as I like it?

School Site: BHS
Subject: Theatre(stagecraft)

I usually take art classes when they are presented, they are usually pretty chill. Thus far I have subbed at a continuation school, which was just listening to students talk about drugs they had done, oh and there was a "personified letters" assignment too. I also subbed at a middle school where we we did a line art assignment, one period was pretty bad, but other than that it was a relaxed day. Then there was today, which was mostly stagecraft with a couple of acting classes mixed in.

I got there on time, which is actually late, so I'm rushing around to get to class, but I have no key, this school site is weird like that.  " oh we'll just send security over to open it up for you… and they never show up. It is a mission to get to the bathroom, and back. Luckily someone just happens to come out so I took the students in .

When the job is presented it is only under a category "Art/Ceramics," so I didn't really know what I was in for. When I saw the schedule I thought "Cool! Theatre!" While this is very cool, I did not take theatre in high school, so I was not privy  to the insanity, I was in speech and debate, but it was not nearly as cool, and I did not progress like I would have liked to. I got a taste of the theatre life in community college, but we were past this high school drama, and on to more centralized theatre drama. So when I got into this class I was expecting some insanity, but I was hoping for more "theatre geeks."

Periods 1&3 - Acting I

This class was loud and energetic, I was expecting this because, hey, they're actors, but they would work on their script for a little bit, gossip a lot of bit, and then maybe do another half assed read through, kind of disappointing, but I mean I wasn't their director so they really didn't have the motivation to go full out.

I have known for a long time that theatre people are one director dogs, we just get so attached to our directors, when they are good, and breaking that routine kind of throws off our whole mojo. Each day I was in this class there was always a student who walked in and was like "How is my favorite direc… oh he's not here today?=(." Sorry to disappoint, I'll make sure to wear a red wig and lose some weight so you wont feel so let down next time.

Periods 2,5&6- Intro to stage craft.

Being at Valley theatre we did a little bit of everything. The Scenic artist/carpenter/everything stagecraft, we just called him Jerry, didn't really have a crew, so we, the actors, always pitched in splitting wood, putting together sets, painting, building scaffolding, positioning lights, good times.

So I have some experience in this, but not to the extent these students are getting. They are starting with full make up and multi position costume design sheets, moving on to defining different aspects of the stage, interior sets, exterior sets, props, etc. My stagecraft experience was not formal, so this was fascinating to me, unfortunately this was not the case for most of his students.

Period 2 is made up of advanced and beginning students. The assignment was to have the students take notes on the descriptions I was giving them, and have them make a full make up and costume sheet off of it. Cool! I had a good time reading off the descriptions, even though my voice was waning. The students were less than enthused about the assignment, and the advanced students just talked, cuddled, and basically did everything they could to not pay attention, these are the one directors dogs I was talking about. It's unfortunate they didn't do the assignment that -their- director gave them, but I get that they are missing a crucial part of their day so, what could I do?

As apathetic as Period 2 seemed the last two periods out did them by far. They had a slightly different assignment, which was due at the end of the period. I received a whopping 3 papers from period 5 and about 5 from period 6, woo.

The day was good, I had double lunch, which is always a welcomed relief, but I was just hoping for more enthusiastic theatre students. "Intro to…" is a way to get "introduced" to things like theatre, so I suppose my aspirations were a little misguided.

Day 2

This was a late start day, so the day was short. This time I received a note from the director stating " If period 5 or 6 gets a bad note they will be taking notes the whole period for the rest of the quarter." Did periods 5 and 6 shape up? You better believe it. Well 5 did immensely better, 6 was still chatty. They just had to take notes on a video, so the assignment was cake, most of them turned in work, and I made sure to clean up before they came in so I could leave their mess for the director. This day was even better, I got to teach a little bit, and the students had the motivation to not be little jerks.

I hope I get a chance to see more of the theatre programs at these schools. This is an experience I wish I had, but I was extremely shy in high school, better late than never I suppose, who knows if I do a few more shows maybe I can teach one of these programs.  I do hope to return to the theatre someday, if only to continue what I started with a women I loved very much.
R.I.P Denise, from your one director dog. <3

In the land where I don't exist.

School site: CHS

Subject: Business Ed(?)

Sometimes it's a bit futile, but I do -try- to be a good sub, unfortunately today is one of those futile days.

I'm clicking through the assignments and I find "Business education," ooo a computer lab! I think to myself, this could be fun. In a way I guess it has been a pretty relaxed day, in fact I'm blogging from the class, this was however, after a sharp downward spike in caring.

Periods 1&2 : Sports Marketing

Wait, what? a class on "sports marketing?" There is a curriculum for this?  Sure enough there is a book, and everything, it has a band on the front with the title "Sports and Entertainment Marketing 2e," this book is from 2005 and I still haven't found a real academic value to it. Whoever sold this book to this program was a marketing genius themselves.

I always think electives are going to be calmer because I assume the students want to be there, sadly I underestimate the power of the all mighty apathy. The lesson plan seemed pretty straight forward, answer questions turn them in. Unfortunately the assignment only took most students 10 minutes. I tried to get students to stay off games and the Internet the first 2 periods, and was only successful for about 10 minutes of the period. Despite their lack of enthusiasm there were actually some people who turned some stuff in.

Periods: the rest of the day : Microsoft Word

Really? A class on Microsoft Word? I hope this is only a semester long class, I couldn't imagine the curriculum stretching much further than this. When I took this class it was "Microsoft office" i.e.; Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, not just Word. The students in this class are about as lack luster as my enthusiasm is for a curriculum weak class like Word. By this point I had given up on being a patrolling games Nazi, and so I hear the agonizing sounds of getting fragged on Unreal tournament all period, how this was installed on the network I'm not sure, but in my day is was Wolfinstein, Unreal actually seems kind of dated. Others played "shell shock live," it looked interesting, it was a multi player 8 bit game of angles and artillery, kind of like a head to head missile command. The premise was to erode the other players platform, it looked fun, and the students were having a good time facing off against each other.

Computer classes have not changed much since I was in them, I remember my computer teacher being a lot more strict, I can tell this teacher is a lot more relaxed because there are students walking in and out, the place is trashed!, and generally no one really listens. The gaming has not changed much, in fact I have spent a lot of this post describing them, there is still network gaming, as the much preferred alternative to school work. Social networking is more prevalent, lots of tweeters, not too many facebookers though, I'm assuming because it might be blocked. I was just basically here for restroom passes and to make sure no one killed themselves, each other, or the equipment.

I would think computer classes might have evolved, I figure kids already have a base knowledge of computers at home, so they shouldn't need a "basic computing class" or "Microsoft Word," so maybe the class is dated, or I'm just out of touch with society.  I suppose if I ever want to catch up on my blogging I will take this class once again, but it has been an enlightening flashback kind of day.

I know it's your first time, and it's mine too!

School Site: THMS

Subject: P.E.

I see an assignment pop up, and it's P.E., ooo! there is a subject I haven't subbed for yet. *click* I'm at a middle school once again, like I said I don't mind, I've had experience with their age group, and I get to visit my homie during the day.

I made sure to dress appropriately, my button up shirts and jeans get enough abuse on a regular day. So I went to Wal-Mart and bought some sweat pants, unfortunately I could not find a pair of shorts that did not look like I had a balloon around my hips, and I was set to go. The only male P.E. teacher was someone I had worked with at the school where I did my student teaching, score! He explained what I needed to do, where I would be, etc etc, gave me some of his 3 habanero salsa 'O.O,

 good to go.

I went out greeted by cheers and uncertainty, as usual,  took role the -really- long way by calling out each student's name, instead of just figuring out which numbers were vacant, and sent them in to dress. Kids are gross and smelly, especially on a day that was looking to reach about 105˚, luckily there was an office with a pathetic air conditioner, but it was enough of a smell barrier.

All day the students just had to run a lap, and then continue walking or they could play soccer. All day it was "It's SO HOT!" Yeah, duh, while you have been inside, with your nice air conditioning, I have been out here getting sunburned, continue being active. I had to constantly be on the students to walk around the track instead of staying static in the nice shady areas, we all suffer together, sorry.

My day was pretty nice, I got some fresh air, I got sunburnt,  and the only elective was a first aid class, which was also cake. My only downfall for the day was the water fountain; the class was up on a hill so I would let first period just come and go as they pleased, well towards the end of the period I noticed half of the class was near the water fountain, which was near the locker rooms. By the time I figured out their game it was too late I could not retrieve them before the bell rang. I got a stern talking to by one of the other butchy P.E. teachers, I guess it's true what they say, and so I had to change up my game plan for the next periods. There was no longer a flood of kids by the water fountain, instead there was a group of bitchy 13 year olds at the top of the hill.

"I'm thirsty!"

"Then tell your buddy to stop dragging his feet"

"HEY!, GET YOUR ASS BACK UP HERE!"

"… Don't say 'ass'"

" Sorry"

The temperature got to the point where it was unsafe for the kids to be outside and active (95˚), so they just hung out, I made sure no one was causing harm to anyone, and we just talked video games the whole period.

I actually really enjoyed myself, I'm not very apprehensive about taking P.E. assignments, for the most part, unless I think about the fact that I'm trying to keep 50 monkeys in order, but I try not to think about that fact.

I liked teaching P.E. so much I started looking into taking the CSET in Physical Education, this would certify me to teach it and give me more job opportunities. Unfortunately the CSET was overly detailed, as usual, asking for things like; weight trends in America, government sponsored fitness programs throughout the years, and a myriad of kinesiology information that I would -never- use, so I decided to save my $200.

Not all assignments are bad, they are however unique, can't wait for another P.E. assignment though.

Flight attending is sounding -real- good right now.

School Site: RHMS

Subject: History. 

Quite possibly the worst assignment I have had thus far was subbing for a substitute. 

First a little background on the day, I had eaten some Del Taco the night before, this included their new carnitas burrito, and a large Vault, 'cause it's the only place that sells it now adays. It was quite delicious, but for some reason this meal was not a team player in the morning, I was nauseous, my head was pounding, and I didn't even drink the night before! I can do my retail job with half a brain but I really do make it a point to get sleep and not drink before I substitute teach, it's taxing enough without strenuous factors I can control. 

My mom has always been big on attendance, I used to joke that she would send me to school regardless of my "ailments." 

"But mom I'm seriously in pain…"

"That's nice honey, put a tourniquet on it and make sure the school calls me if it gets any worse"

So, as I always do I pressed on.  

Enter class from hell; there are a few factors against me in this situation. The teacher for this position was "vacancy" meaning there is no full time teacher for this position, meaning the students have had substitutes since the beginning of the school year and this was at least two months in, can you say "APATHY?" I walk in to a hand written note, because there are no computers in this classroom, a stack of papers,  and some post it notes. This is actually more than a lot of teachers leave except for the fact that I as much as I tried to explain the assignment the students seemed completely lost, as if I was in a science class assigning history work. 

I didn't have a whole lot of time to set up, so I hand out the assignment to the first class, do a super impromptu explanation of the assignment, and send the kids on their way.On top of this I get a note and another stack of papers from another class "Please do this assignment today." Crap, ok so once again I had to work quickly to figure out and explain the assignment, this reminds me of stand up, without the comedy.  During my explanation I ask the students to be quiet multiple times, I address one student in particular, who rolls her eyes and continues talking... really? Alrighty off to the office you go! "What did I do wrong?!?" >.<  This is not the first time I have had trouble with this student, the previous time it took about 5 minutes for me to calm her down and explain that is she just gave me a -moment- to explain the assignment she wouldn't be so lost. This student is apparently a moron however because she just continued to talk over me, 

"Why do I have to do this assignment?" 

" well if.." 

"I already did this," 

" Ok, but…" 

" You're making us do stuff I did already!"

"PLEASE LET ME TALK!"

Guh! Incredibly frustrating and rude! You're at school to listen to the teacher, whoever that may be for the day, and do work, there is no need to argument, this is not a Democracy, I'm not asking you to do hard labor, I just want you to write on your paper for 50 minutes, THAT's ALL, sit down, shut up and stop being so rude! Is what I wish I could have said.

Headache not gone yet. 

Incident #2 (still first period) 

I understand having a sub is seen as a "free day" the student has no need to make an emotional connection for the day, I will not be able to obtain their respect within this day. This is also apparently a time to use the restroom, I usually feel out the class, and try to let those classes go to the restroom who will not abuse this freedom. Once one person goes to the restroom it's sometimes downhill from there, all of the sudden there is a line I'm having kids take a number and everyone want to go out for some fresh air. My only request is they ask, do not tell me they are going to the restroom, I'm the captain of the ship, for the day,  and if someone gets hurt while they are out of my sight that is on me. 

This one student decided to -tell me- he was going to the restroom, my response to this of course is "No." He continued to ask, and I continued to deny him, until he just walked out. You can tell if someone really has to go, you can see the, floating, or dancing, or some kind of tell, this punk just wanted to roam around, which I probably would have let do if he just -asked-. No such luck, I call security, and have them pick him up, he comes in quietly later and picks up his work, which he wasn't doing anyway. 

Did I mention this was still only first period? The classes that followed were slightly more mellow, but once again they did not have a full time teacher, so there was no set order, no discipline plan was really in effect aside from the school's discipline plan, which the students were not intimidated by what so ever, it was a mess. 

This was the only assignment I have thought of walking out on, seriously. What's the worse that could happen? I get fired, I move on  and become a flight attendant, travel around a little bit, this seemed a far more enticing option that day. I stuck it out, however, I came back, regrouped, explained things in even more detail, and made sure to set down my expectations at the beginning of class. 

Yes, I did apply for this position, if you were curious, there were actually a few available throughout the district, and I just kept thinking how ironic it would be if I ended up with this class. My immediate reaction was just to write a referral a day until the students got the message, but I didn't end up getting the job, for better or for worse, I'm not sure.

I survived, but I learned some very valuable lessons, Vault no longer agrees with me,  and if I see "vacancy," unless it's roving, I should think three times before taking the assignment.  I have avoided assignments at this school since this day. I did my student teaching at a middle school, I'm actually used to this craziness, but the kids at this school are even too much for me to handle.