Blame

So I’m a teacher. This much you know. But what you may not realize is that you can blame me for pretty much everything wrong with the world. It’s true. Go ahead, try it!

You didn’t do your homework? My fault, I shouldn’t have given you any. You failed my test? My fault, I should have given you the answers. World hunger? Yep, my fault also. I should have packed up my PB&J and sent it to Ethiopia.

Case in point:

“Okay guys, please copy down the left side of the board.”

“Man I hate this class!”

“Well I’m sorry to hear that, but I still need you to copy the left side of board.”

“Dang! Why you gettin’ on me?”

“Um, because you just said you hate this class and you’re not on task.”

“I was talkin’ to myself.”

“Oh really? Because I’m pretty sure I heard you say it out loud.”

“Yeah, but I ain’t talking to YOU. Dang.”

“Okay, well if you’re not talking to me, that’s fine. Please copy the left side of the board.”

“You’re always gettin’ on me. I ain’t copyin sh*t.”

“Okay, that’s fine. You can go to the office and let them know that you ain’t copying sh*t, but in here you’re not going to talk me like that.”

The child leaves and I immediately begin a self-reflection therapy session with myself. Where did I go wrong here? Was it when I asked him to copy the board? More importantly, does this student actually believe that talking to one’s self merely means speaking out loud to the audience of one’s choice? Did I somehow provoke this reaction? Am I a bad teacher?

Suddenly I realize I am again a victim of manipulation. Damn, they got me again. That’s right, feel sorry for me. After all, I am in an abusive relationship. In fact, I’m in 67 abusive relationships. Only, I can’t get out. I’m trapped… like a rat in a maze… with no windows.

Later that day I was handed a “think sheet,” completed by the student who was thrown out of my class earlier that day. A “think sheet” is a series of questions designed to allow the student to reflect on his/her behavior. I could hardly wait to read his answers. Surely he has come to his senses!

Why were you removed classroom? Cause Miss Mac always be pickin' on me.

Was your behavior inappropriate? No

How would you change your behavior? Ms. Mac shouldn’t make us copy notes cause it is a waste of my education.






Thank God for alcohol and weekends.