I stood looking at my classroom in total horror. The kids had virtually exploded. The furniture had exploded. There was mess everywhere. Sandwiches mixed with books. Twinkies wrapped around pens and pencils. Paper! Paper was everywhere.
How did this happen? How did I lose such control? This was my second week of teaching and the kids were monsters. My dream job was quickly becoming a nightmare. The kids had escaped and were rampaging around the school disturbing all the other more disciplined classes.
I sat at my desk. Head in hands trying desperately to hold back the tears. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. The headmistress stood there. I tried to get up but her gentle touch forced me back down onto the seat. I glanced at the door and saw my monsters calmly standing quietly outside. The head moved to the door and closed it. She pulled a chair up to the table.
“You really need to get a grip and teach the kids that you are the boss not them. I’ll help you today but you need to be firmer. You are not their friend. You are the one in charge.”
She went to the door and held it open until the last quiet, responsive kid had entered.
“Stand next to your desks. Look around you. Are you really that barbaric? You will stay in every afternoon this week under my supervision and you will clean every classroom and corridor on this floor. Windows, lights, everything.”
Horror appeared on all faces as the headmistresses words sunk in.
