I did not mess around today. I did not smile, or laugh, or expect anything but the absolute best behavior from my students. Periods 2 & 4 were okay. There are 17 young women and one guy in my fourth period. The girls don't really like me. They don't want to do any of the work I ask them to do. They would rather do worksheets. They expect school to be easy, and they are frustrated that I ask more of them than other teachers. When I ask them to do something, it never fails that I get one of the following responses:

• "Why can't we just do it our own way?"
  
• "Mrs. So-and-so didn't ever make us do it that way?"
  
• "This isn't fun."
  
• "Man, this is stupid."
  

When I thought about teaching, I never thought I would be the teacher kids hate. But, I must admit, I'm sort of getting used to the idea. As long as they are learning, I don't really care if they like me or want to kill me.

I kicked two students out of my freshmen class today. One was "Teisha." I had a home visit with her and her mom this weekend. We agreed that Teisha would have one warning and then I would kick her out. I gave her two. When she said "F*** this," I told her to go to my department chair's room. She did, then she bolted from him, and got security. Her and a security officer came to my door and I just about shut the door in their face. I told them there was no way she was getting back into my class. Two minutes later she came back with the vice principal. The vice principal's jaw dropped when I told her I had made a home visit, and I think she genuinely took my side.

I talked with Teisha's Mom again tonight. She was pissed. I stood firm, and told her Teisha would not be allowed in my class until we had another conference, this time at school. "How is she going to learn then?" she asked. A good question. Then she explained the job interviews she was going to tomorrow, and that she could not meet until later. I genuinely feel for Teisha's mother. She is a kind woman and she wants to do the best for her child. She is in a difficult position. Anyways, we will be meeting tomorrow at school when she is back from her interviews.

It wears on you when all of your students do not like you, but my armour is getting thicker every day.

Mr. Moore