Gabby- My Success

I have a little girl student named Gabrielle. She is a freshman and I really didn't notice her until my second week of school. She sits in the desk right beside my desk and under the tv. My tv comes on everyday at 7:35am and sometimes I get over there to turn it on and sometimes it takes me 3-4 minutes. Gabby used to sing to herself randmonly and talk out loud a student across the room really quick and randmonly. I had to start reminding her of the rules I could sense an attitude in her and more attitude when I would turn the tv off..she claimed she couldnt work without noise. So I sat down at my desk one day and watched her work. I could see right through her...she just wanted attention and guidance. So I started giving her special OneONOne attention. She is in my 1st period with 12 people. when she had a question about something I would come take a seat next to her, let her take the attendance down, giving her lots of responsiblity in the classroom to make her feel important. She finally opened up to me, explaining that she was in ALS last year and had to get used to regular school this year. I said thats fine we will work on that together and when you need help with anything, asked to come see me. She said ok. She did get suspended for nine days the 7 day of school for cussing out a teacher. I was hurt and couldn't wait for her to get back (even though I now had 11 kids). When she got back I called her out in the hallway and said, "Gabbi where were you?" Suspended "For what?" cussin out ms. R "Well look if you wanna cuss me out, do it right now, right here while we are in the hallway. Because I do not want to suspended you. You need this class to move to the next grade mam." no mam, I would never cuss you out. "ok, well lets go back in and open your work and we will talk about your make-up work later." Of course she answers all questions, is smart and will help other students if I have a problem with them not answering a questions correctly. She even came to me to let me know that the principal picks on her and that she really is trying her best. I told her not to worry about it and that I would go talk to her for her. I told her NOT TO LET ANYBODY EVER GET YOU DOWN, BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO OTHER BUSINESS WILL MAKE IT THEIR BUSINESS TO MAKE YOU MISERABLE LIKE THEM.

MY classroom this far

Typically, the kind of teaching I am is very laid-back, yet will smile in your face while I discipline you. My kids will know the material when they leave, but they will also behave in my class. I have now instilled a "I am only warning you once for the rest of the year tone".."don't play with me and we are here to learn, not laugh and giggle". My kids for the most respect me, I have those 3-4 that test me on a DAILY basis!!! After assigning book work they have to still ask 3 times what page is it on....I have learned to shut them down with the quickness. I no longer come home stressed over my class (as Torsheta will know because I used to call her everyday my first two weeks of school). I now come home stressed sometimes over altercations/run-ins with my principal from WHERE? I beleive she finds things wrong with every once inch I do because when i have something to say, beleive ME, I will say it. She is the type of person who is always right and you are ALWAYS wrong. I think I can stay this year, but I don't know about one more year. I am a good teacher and I don't want a bad taste of teaching in my mouth. I enjoy my kids and thank the lord everyday that my 1st period is QUIET, SMALL and ALL FRESHMAN.