Teachers Don’t Cry

(I work in a school district known for a high truancy rate, a high dropout rate, gang violence, and drugs. Many of the students are not motivated, but I try my best to engage students.)

Me: “Okay, guys, so for this essay—”

Class: *keeps talking*

Me: “Hey, we need to go over the requirements for—”

Class: *keeps talking*

Student #1: *gets up and walks out the door* “Going to the bathroom!”

Me: “Wait! You need a pass!”

Class: *keeps talking*

Me: “This essay is part of the school’s curriculum, and if you don’t do it, you’ll fail this class!”

Class: *keeps talking*

Student #2: “Do you ever feel like you’re the teacher in Freedom Writers?”

Me: “No. The students actually did their work in that movie.”