Taming of the Shrews

Today I was booked to teach Freshman English classes at the high school. That should say it all, however, it is well known that this years Freshman class is a class full of helions. I know that sounds bad, but I've heard them called much worse! Every now and then, you just get a class that is totally off the hook. This is them! The last time this teacher was gone, the Sub nearly walked out and a neighboring teacher was called in to try to regain control. When this teacher planned this day away, she asked me if I would give them a shot. She hesitated because we are friends, but she said to me, "if anyone can handle them, you can". I appreciated the confidence, so I'll give them a shot.

The first full class I had today was over the block period in which they go to lunch. They weren't scheduled for lunch until 40 minutes into class. I hid in the classroom next door so they didn't know they had a sub, and I made my appearance right after the bell rang. As I walked in, the chaos began. I immediately turned from "the cool sub", to the "DON'T MESS WITH ME SUB"! I don't do this very often, but this teacher advised me to take control right away.

So I took control.

"You guys have a reputation of being a difficult group?" the class laughed and agreed. "Not today! I have done this for 3 years now, I love teaching, however, don't screw with me! We need to read chapter 18 in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' before lunch. Everytime I have to stop the readers to quiet someone down, we go to lunch one minute late!"

"You can't do that!" one student said.

"Watch me!" I replied.

(Given the open class setting, I manage to hear the teacher next door, who was on his plan, chuckle at this exchange)

Needless to say, it was silent the entire 40 minutes, we got the entire chapter read out loud, and brief discussion during the reading. We actually left 2 minutes early for lunch. They all came back on time, and they worked appropriately. Many even read on to chapter 19 on their own after their vocabulary test.

This is one of the times where I got to draw from my law enforcement experience. I can be pretty intimidating when I need to be. It's sad that this is needed, however, I don't think many of these kids will try to push me in the future.