I kicked kids out of class today, got in a shouting match, and hey, its my birthday, too.

I've been feeling generally more negative about school recently.

Every time I come back from a break its been tough -- I am always excited about my well-planned lessons and the chance at a fresh start... and every time I am disappointed by more of the same.

 This particular return-from-break has been especially hard because my seniors now see the beginning of the end. They have begun to treat school as a way to pass time before their graduation. They care less, try less, play more... and rightfully so. I did the same thing when I was in high school. But coming from a bunch of kids who don't try much to begin with, and into whom I pour countless hours of work.... its heartbreaking. 

Many of my students will have a rude awakening in college, if they go. They are behind. Their reading skills are somewhat low, their study skills almost non-existent, and their work ethic zero. These weeks could HELP improve these things, or at least get them prepared for that mindset. ... if only they could see it that way.

At first I thought it was a blessing that I had 95% seniors this semester. Now I realize I would trade them in a second for freshmen. They'd probably fight me just as hard, but at least they would pick up skills to use for the rest of their high school careers. The seniors somehow believe 'nothing matters' now that they are 'done'. That college is different, no matter how much I try to show them otherwise.

Oh, also I got a new student today in third block. On March 26th. With six and a half weeks remaining for seniors.