Magic Minute Emergency Teacher’s Baptism of Fire!
MAGIC MINUTE // My first stint as a mature-age, year 7 emergency teacher would be a cinch!
After all, being a camping tour leader for years I knew how to handle young people.
As I approached my classroom, I discerned a bit of a hubbub; ‘Could be challenging?’ I thought.
I walked into a feral uproar!
Kids were running around, on and under their desks and throwing things at each other – one was even coming through a window!
“Get back in here and be quiet!” I commanded, to little effect.
“Sit down!” I screamed, and they grudgingly did so.
“My name’s Mr. Smale.”
“Mr. Snail?” Some wag mocked, setting off a wave of uncontrollable laughter.
They smelt blood for I began to waver and looked vulnerable.
“Take out your books and finish your set work,”
“Oh, no!” They groaned and ignored me.
My well-rehearsed strategies were now out the window, as were two of the kids!
I spent the next agonising 40 minutes desperately putting out bushfires till the bell mercifully rang.
As one, they stampeded for the door ignoring my feeble efforts to get them to be ‘orderly,’
Shell-shocked and disoriented, it took me some time to recover.
I survived it all for 8 more years! But I did get better…
I’m Laurie Smale… Till my next Magic Minute.
#lauriesmalemagicminute #lauriesmale #baptismoffire #emergencyteacher
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