$25,000

One day down...too many more to count, to go.

I had a pretty good day that ended with a horrible headache at 4:30... it's still lingering.

I had 136 sixth graders grace my classroom. Let me just say that the first class of the day was big... gigantic, even. 32 desks + 31 chairs +34 kids = some peoples gotta sit on the floor. Oh well.

This is my 10th year of "experience." I've never before had a kid like ... um, I'll call him A. A is autistic. The really, really, noise-cancelling-headphone-wearing autistic kind. I don't know how to act or react to him. My co-teacher was out today, cooling fires (read: first day of school and a student who belongs in a behavior unit decided to run away... from school). So, here I am trying to figure out what to do with A. He says things like, "A has a rumbling in his tumbling." or, "A is never getting to go home." Then, "You've just won twenty-five THOUSAND dollars!" This is followed by his rendition of canned laughter, plus the circular "Round-of-applause." All this is going on, and I don't know if I should tell him to stop, or ignore the behavior. I was so mumfumbled that I have no idea what I said to the other 20 kids in the class. I lost what I needed to do, or had already done, and was left with 20 minutes or so to just look at the kids and say, "I am sorry. I know I've forgotten something, but I just can't remember what that might be."

To say I experienced frustration is a bit of an understatement. I felt like a first year teacher, all over again. So, I guess I am asking for a bit of prayer. I want to treat this child with the respect he deserves while adding value to his life. Plus, I don't want to abandon the other students that are expecting great things out of this "experienced" teacher. I desire success for them, too. Hmmmmm... more experiences from the game-show student will follow... I'm sure of it.

By the way... I REALLY did have a good day. I was just lost for an hour.