bad days happen

Work usually is great. I don't have many "bad" days. Sure, it's difficult as would be expected, but nothing too crazy.

I think the situations were just right today to create... the perfect storm.

After talking about never being out more than 9 times in her 15 yr career on Wed., the teacher I work with was struck ill and could not come into work on Thurs. or Fri. Sick irony. Yesterday was tough. No sub. due to the late notice so 2 other aides and I ran the class. No big deal, except it really throws the kids off. Then we had a sub. today, well more like a body who happens to hold a sub. license (the guy did nothing all day and barely uttered 10 words). So I got to play teacher for 2 days... yay?

Well there are 2 students that are kind of high maintenance, as far as behavior and attention needed. One has a hot and cold relationship with me related to the fact that I resemble his mom and share her first name (Jennifer), so whatever is going on at home is mirrored at school. Fun.

Then the other student is always on my heart, but is quite a handful. Today I taught the lesson and the poor guy was left on timeout the entire time.... sidenote: in addition to having his school environment being different, he's been staying with an aunt and hasn't been sleeping well... so after group time the students are dismissed to lunch when the little guy jumps up with a red face and crying. He runs for me and grabs me ripping and grabbing at my clothes and trying to pull me down, etc. I'm mostly confused because I've never seen him like this. I appeal to the 6' 8" sub. for help, but to no avail... he just watches bemusedly.