Fire alarm

>>Tuesday while I was enjoying my 40 mins of quiet time during my lunch break, the fire alarm went off. The fire alarm never really goes off without teachers knowing about it before hand. This gives us time to prepare. During lunchtime the fire alarm NEVER goes off. So, I quickly rush to the lunchtime room and grab the two of my students that always spent time there. I was looking for Mary who is usually in there too, but was not. We head out to our spot. The entire school is confused. Students who were at lunch are trying to decide where they line up. The other SDC teacher and I are trying to keep our students organized and non-meltdowny (yes, I invented that word) When I get out to the our spot, I see Mary. She looks shaken up. Worried. I assume it's because the fire alarm was going off. Immediately she said "It was me. I pulled the fire alarm. It was me. It was me. ______ told me to do it, but I asked him how to do it. It was my fault" I told the other SDC teacher because ______ is in his class. I found the vice principal, and explained to him what she said. When the office gave us the all clear, I went back to Mary. She continually repeated "I wanted to get kicked out of this school. I did it. I wanted to never come back. Now I won't have to come back. etc. etc. etc." She then refused to come with me to the office. After shouting (well, the most shouting I really would do) That yes you will be getting in trouble but you need to come with me NOW. She followed me to the office. While sitting in the office... the alarm goes off AGAIN. (NOT MY FAULT) students are moving, and confused. Long story short, the fire department came. Mary was yelled out. Talked to. Little did I know that Mary felt like she hated this school and did not want to go here anymore. NOBODY told me that she had been talking like this all day, and actually asked ______ to give her a way to get kicked out of the school. TEACHERS AND AIDES HAD HEARD HER, but nobody told me.

>>Suspended for 5 days.. we will see how Tuesday goes. Rumors spread, and people learned. OF COURSE it was my student that pulled the alarm. OF COURSE. I tried to explain it to my other students about what happened and how this can be a learning experience. They seemed to understand, but that didnt stop this week from being pretty hellish. It's pretty much that time of the year where the students are checked out, and I am tired of lecturing and yelling. Instead, I am now pawning them off into trouble rooms, handing out citations, and giving lunch time detentions. It's the best thing I can do to keep my sanity.

>> In other news, I cleaned out a few cupboards this week and moved around my classroom which made me super happy.

>>and Finally, my home hospital student is VERY VERY VERY sick. She's been in the hospital since Monday. Lungs not working, hooked up to machines, fever continues spiking. Please please please keep her and her family in your thoughts.

sick

I've been sick for the past week. I give my students credit because they really have been giving me a break this past week. I think they understand that they need to be patceint and work hard especially when I dont feel well. But, I did get called crabby once or twice :)

>>I never ever thought I would be a middle school teacher. All the time I've wanted to be a teacher it was always elementary. I feel the most confident teaching elementary school (especially with the curriculum they need to learn) and I also just felt the most comfortable with elementary school students. Last year when I was asked to long term sub/do my student teacher in a middle school SDC class I was very very hesitant. I was beyond uncomfortable with the idea of middle school, but I sucked it up and did it and I don't think I will ever go back to elementary. Maybe some day, but there are so many things that are fantastic about working with 12-14 year olds. First off, less dirty diapers. Although in elementary school there shouldnt be many dirty diapers, in special education there are a lot. I have 3 students that wear diapers and they are all very capable of changing themselves which is an amazing fact. Another thing is they really are more independent. I can send them to the bathroom by themselves. They can blow their noses themselves. they can tie their shoes, and even go to some classes without help if i was in a lower grade I'm sure that would not be possible. But, finally one of the best parts of middle school is that you can talk with them. You can reason with them and explain to them why things are a certain way and they understand you. You can say, "come on guys, lets get some work done and then we can have fun" and that makes sense to them. When they are frustrated they can come and tell you exactly what is going on. And they are funny. They have such good senses of humor that its just so funny. Middle school is awesome. Who thought I would say that.

Funny quote of the day:
(I was reading with Steve)
Me: Wow Steve. that was amazing! I am so proud of you! You know (whispers) don't tell anyone this, but I really think you are probabley the best reader in our whole class.
Carl:(at the group nearby) Uhm.. what.. except I heard that?!