one for the record books

I've had my fair share of interesting experiences subbing. Don't believe me? Read this. Or this. Or this. And I thought I had seen most everything.

Last Friday I knew going into my Kindergarten class that it was going to be a rough day. I knew it was the worst of the Kindergarten classes in this school. B the time lunch came around, I was ready to give up. Nothing I had done had worked. I was out of tricks to try. The Assistant Principal came in and read books at the end of the day. It was a bad day.

Well. Yesterday was worse.

I was close to tears by morning recess, which we didn't go out for. They sat at their desks with their heads down and their voices off. Roughly 20 minutes after that I sent a girl out to find the Assistant Principal and bring her back. Sandy walked in and I was SO upset. I had no idea what to do anymore. I had already tried everything and it was only 11:30. She took a student out at that time and left me with a walkie, with instructions to call her if I needed her. Less than 20 minutes after that she was back in the classroom where she escorted an additional THREE students out for the rest of the day. I was in tears at this point. Over the course of the day I had NINE students leave the classroom and not come back. The student teacher in a first grade class came in after lunch and we tagged teamed the rest of the day. There were only 12 students who were able to go to Art. A grand total of THREE students had no issues. I left the building in tears. And then even after taking a muscle relaxer last night, I had nightmares all night long.

When I walked into the school this morning everyone who saw me was shocked that I had come back. Sandy continually reminded me that it wasn't my fault the students were hellions and to take it as a learning experience.

Thankfully I was in a different classroom today. And it was much better than yesterday.
Lisa was livid with her kids though. They weren't allowed to speak to anyone until after noon today. They sat silently in their chairs doing worksheets. And at recess, they walked laps around the playground.

Right as I was getting ready to take my kids to lunch Lisa came to the classroom with her kids in tow. They had written me a letter and wanted to give it to me:

Miss Perry,

We are sorry for making you sad, shouting out, talking back, and not following directions. We love you! Please forgive us.

And they all signed it. I totally teared up when Lisa handed it to me.

I do forgive them. I do. But I'm still really upset. I'm taking the next couple of days off. And then next week when I'm back in that school I'm going to go in and talk to them, let them know that I forgive them. But that it had better not EVER happen again. To me or to anyone else.