Whew!

Today was the most stressful day I have had since I started teaching here.  I was schedule to substitute today for a class I had visited several times, and that was my only class for the day.  When I got to school, I started up the stairs to the teacher's lounge and realized that there was a group of boys coming towards me, crying, and one with a bloody nose.  Apparently there was a fight on the playground.  I passed out ice packs and got another teacher to write down the report of the incident.

When I got to class, I found a nice surprise.  The girls in my class had drawn me a picture on the board that said "Welcome Miss Andrew" and "Yay English!"  My excitement for this was short-lived.  About 45 minutes into the lesson, I handed back the vocabulary tests they had taken last week.  Upon receiving his test, one boy crumpled up his fists, started banging on his desk and started to scream.  I went over to ask him what was wrong, but then he started throwing things and running around the room banging on the walls.  He eventually ran out of the classroom.  All the while, the other students are acting perfectly natural and inform me that he does this all the time and I should just let him get it out of his system!?!

I ran and got another teacher to help with this situation and went to talk to the principle after the lesson.  She also was not surprised that he had done this, and told me that a teacher specializing in special needs students was scheduled to meet with him, his parents, and his teachers to talk about these incidents.  I still think someone should have warned me that this could happen!

After coming back to my apartment, taking a shower, and eating a Hershey's bar I feel much better.  Funny how chocolate can boost your spirits.