4/3/08

At least there's only 6 weeks left...

Today during first period, just as I thought we were learning, an adorable little girl said, “Miss Poteet, your skirt bugs me.” I wish I could illustrate her face as she said it. It was one of those situations that causes me to want to hit someone…and I rarely feel that way.

I wanted to say, “Yeah? Well you bug me.” But then I remembered I’m not stuck in 8th grade anymore. I shouldn’t act like them. I’m the teacher, so I tried to be the adult in the situation and just said in my sweetest sarcastic voice, “That’s okay. You don’t have to like my clothes. Quite frankly, I don’t have to like your clothes, either. But none of that matters right now. You should be working on your questions.”

Hours later, I realize I was just as bratty as she was, but it felt good. It felt so good that I couldn’t stop there. I said to the class (but mainly I was just hoping “cute girl” was listening), “Oh, by the way class, since I’m thinking about it, you should probably stop passing notes to each other because every time you pass one, I take 10 more points from your participation grade. So some of you are failing. Oh well though. You don’t have to like my grading, either.”

RUDE! Who am I? Where did these sassy comments come from? Why am I acting like I’m 14? There’s got to be something psychologically wrong with me…can someone diagnose me, please?

10 comments:

Leanna said...

It's normal. Or at least I think it is only because I felt the same way myself. They somehow get you on their level. I had a class that was really good at pulling me into an argument. Everything with them was an argument, and before I would realize what was happening, I was bickering with twelve-year-olds like I was a twelve-year-old myself!

Julie M said...

Thank heavens! People who feel like I feel! I had no idea that I wasn't the only one slipping into this weird teacher insanity.

I had no idea just how mean I could be until I started teaching.

Hyrimskikorisikov said...

Hey Emily,

Hyrum here.

I thinks its perectly normal to feel that way sometimes. Heck, with as aggressive as I've been feeling lately, I probably would have given the little brat the finger right in her face. Just a big middle finger right in the center of her face to make eyeballs go all crosseyed.

And I like what you did with the points thing. There is nothing like mass punishment across the board to get someone's attention.

Are you sure you've not interested in a career in the United States Army?

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S.Morgan said...

Ahhhhhh. Another message from our Brazilian sales bloggers. Bless them. They try hard; ya got t' love 'um for that.

Emily, I think Hyrum's right. You are a soldier. I rolled on the floor over this blog. You're really wonderful. I have my doubts whether the little girl would understand the "finger" symbolism, but this blog and Hyrum's are almost publishable. Would you both allow me to play around with that idea?

Sarah said...

i love your sassiness & your creativity!

Natorade said...

your reaction is downright angelic compared to what I would have done! I think God put you where you are to stop the retardation of future America! You should have an extra credit assignment entitled "Don't be stupid" and wish them luck. (maybe this is why you're teaching and I'm not)

Chan said...

I would have responded with love and affection and possibly the socratic method, but only to help recognize behaviors that could potentially be detrimental to their academic wellbeing later in life, not to punish them. I can't believe you did what you did, Empo.

Brad & Emily said...

Oh Chan...someday I'll be just like you (in another life, maybe, when I understand the socratic method better).

Jami said...

Oh, the joys of teaching. Let me tell you, all of these comments are making me really look forward to the fall when I do my student teaching. Good thing I'll have friends to vent to :)