They do exist!

I can't believe it.  We're a little over a month into the year.  I'd convinced myself this would never happen.  They all told me it would never happen.  Couldn't possibly happen without an act of God.  That kid..you know him...all teachers have had him (or her) a few times...that kid----------was absent.
*cue angelic hosts singing Hallelujah

We had the best day of this year so far.  My other student with behavior issues had a near-perfect day.  Kid 1 wasn't there for him to be a distraction and partner in crime.  We had a calm, quiet, fun day.  I felt like a real teacher today, actually getting students caught up on curriculum and taking some grades as well.  I was a teacher, not a babysitter.

It's amazing how one student can cause so much disruption.  One student's words, sounds, actions, attitude, effort, noise can cause such upheaval.  I'm either trying to deal with him and his behaviors and ignoring the rest of the class, or I'm giving him work to do on his own-basically teaching himself-and trying to teach the others.

Academically, he's fine.  He's on grade-level and may even be slightly above in some areas.  It's only his behavior that keeps him in my classroom.  Any time he's in trouble, it's always the adult's fault.  We're racists and liars.  We're trying to get him into trouble.  We call him names.  We talk about him.  I know we can't say this to the parents, but if this kid was even just slightly medicated he'd be able to be successful in the regular ed setting.

The Powers That Be tell me I'm doing a great job with this class.  I feel I'm only doing an OK job.  I still feel like a fish out of water.  Interims are coming up and I know I don't have everything I need. On a good note, I don't need to do IEP interim reports.  First time in 5 or 6 years!  Woo hoo!

Is it wrong to hope that he's out again tomorrow?