Anotha Day, Anotha Dolla

Interesting stat that might reveal my slight increase in authority this year:

Average age students thought I was during the 2009-2010 year: 24.

Average age students think I am during the 2010-2011 year: 31.

PROGRESS!

But then, DC: "Heyyy. Imma need to get yo number... you know in case I need help with homework or sumthin."

"Riight. Well you can definitely stay after on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and I'd LOVE to help you with any problems you might have!"

"Yeah never mind."

That's the first time any of them have even dared to toe that line, though. I keep thinking back to Rashee on that first day and how bold he was...ohhh, Rashee.

1st block: good for the majority

2nd block: great!

3rd block: pretty terrible

4th block: great!

The difference in 3rd block? Oh, about six people. Meaning that six more boys are in that class than my next largest class. Six people may not seem like a lot, but you couldn't imagine the difference it makes in trying to manage a classroom.

In fourth block I have a really good track runner named Essa. He is one of the quiet ones that has this nonchalant attitude. Nothing can phase him. I've had kids like that before--they're never blatantly rude, just...blase about EVERYTHING (how do you type an accent mark in the word blase?). One of them last year was named Da'Terrious. I only had him for about a month, but he was probably one of the most threatening kids I've had walk through my door. And you better believe he "yes ma'am"-ed and "no ma'am"-ed the hell out of me. He'd smile and comply with my directions, then wait 'til my back was turned to "tax" the smaller kids around him for money.

I'm not saying that Essa is at all a threat to the other kids, or even that he belongs in the same category as De'Terrious; I don't know him well enough for that. I DO know, however, that he has this way about him that screams, "I'll oblige you not because I feel like I have to, but because I don't care enough to make a fuss."

Today I was telling a story involving a potluck dinner while I was in college. As I was telling the class how I

"... decided that for the potluck, I was going to bring the--"

"CRACK," Essa finished, not meaning to be overheard. I recovered quickly and resumed the story.

"--macaroni and cheese. I didn't know that someone had already brought a--"

"lot of BEER." (Essa)

"--pan of the same thing. So once I got there, I--"

"Got wasted and tried to get with all the boys there." (Essa)

"--hid the other macaroni and cheese in a random cabinet."

What kind of potlucks are YOU attending, brah??

As we left 1st block, DC: "Whew! It's my favorite parttatheday--gettin' to leave here!" (As he slyly grins at me)

Me: "WHEW. It's my favorite parttatheday--gettin' to watch DC walk out the door!"

DC: "Yeah what she MEAN was gettin' to watch DC walk up IN HERE. At least it in the mornin' so you can hold on to that sunshine fo the rest of the day!"