"So, they put you in MY classroom?"

I have been extremely blessed throughout this experience in that I get along with all of my students very well. I have not had any confrontations yet. And they truly are an overall respectful, decent group of kids.

So, today's lesson is about what kind of students are in my classroom.
I teach ALL electives, thus all students in my classes CHOOSE to be in my classes. This makes a world of difference. I heard so much in my education classes about students that are disruptive, mean, hateful, etc. that I forgot that there were going to be students who are not any of those things. I have psyched myself up for them hating me, teasing me, not listening... And none of this has happened.
On the contrary, I typically get a slew of compliments weekly. Today, a student told me that he was surprised I had never been to New York because I looked so cultured and dressed so well.
It's things like these that boost my confidence daily. These students are great.

The other lesson today is that because journalism is an elective, some students get dropped into the classroom for NO rhyme or reason.
For example, today a student (we'll call him John) came into my class, sat in the back and announced that he was now in 7th period yearbook. Of course, Mr. C needed some clarification. He asked what class the student was in before.
"I was at the career center," John said. "But the kicked me out."
Mr. C asked why and the student responded with, "I never went to class."
"So, they put you in my class?" Mr. C said.
Yep. They sure did, I thought.
And what makes them (guidance counselors, possibly?) think that he'll come to our class either? The sad truth is that he probably won't and will somehow fail his senior year because of a severe case of truancy and the all-too-famous Senoritis.
Very sad.