Throwdowns, crotch kicks, and crying fits

So. I'm a teacher. The title of this post references things that have actually happened in my classroom since the first of the schoolyear.

For those of you who may not remember, I'm teaching 7th grade math and 8th grade Geometry. Do you remember what 7th grade was like? These kids are squirrelly!! Many have issues with authority and structure, probably due to their home situations. Our school is largely low-income, minority kids, and I have to admit, that takes some getting used to.

Teaching is, by far, the most difficult job I've ever had. There's just so much planning that goes into it! I never feel completely prepared, and that bothers me. It's like you could work 24 hours a day and still find things to do.

Classroom management is a struggle for me... I don't want to be mean, but sometimes I have to be in order to get the point across. I had to go in this week and really lay down the law, because it felt like my authority was quickly slipping away.

I don't know, folks. So far, this isn't fun. It's stressful, it's more hours than you would expect, and when I get home, I am EXHAUSTED. I kinda like a job where I just get left alone to do my work, and then go home and do whatever I want. Teaching does not fit that mold. I know it's early to be having second thoughts, but I can't help it.

Okay, more typing later.