By Grabthar's Hammer...

I had my first 'altercation' with a student today. She wasn't even one of mine. Just some random student in the halls. I serve hall duty for one period a day and my sole purpose is to herd students to out of the halls and into their classrooms. It has aptly been described to me 'it's like herding cats'. Since I can not physically touch any of them my only recourse is to annoy them into going to class. By constantly reminding them to 'get to class' 'you are now late to class' 'you belong in a classroom and this is not a classroom' (you get the picture). So yesterday I was moving kids out of the hallway and one girl just got pushed too far and pushed back. She turned, got in my face and started shouting and cursing at me. I flinched at the suddenness of the loud noise and then tried to calm her and defuse the situation. Several other staff members got involved and she finally went to class. (She came back later and apologized) For some reason everyone on staff thought I'd quit on the spot- I spent the rest of the day assuring them that I was 'ok' and 'it wasn't a big deal'. Like I told my mentor, 'I have kids at home, I am used to having a little hate tossed my way'.  Lesson 3: don't give up, don't back down.
Then today I had to call out to take care of Nick (ironic since I actually said to someone yesterday 'don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow') and it all hit me, the stress and the feelings of failing at everything I'm trying to do. And I cried. Over stupid nothing and infuriating everything. I have an observation tomorrow that I am unprepared for and I just want to curl up and pretend the world doesn't exist outside of my front door. Here is where I take my own advice and refuse to give up or back down from this daunting task.
Lets hope it's good advice, otherwise you'll find me with a box of Kleenex curled in the fetal position under my bed this time tomorrow.

Ps did you get the reference in the title?