My Loca Latina Student

(Spring 2,000)

It is my first year teaching
at Park West High School
in Hell's Kitchen NYC.

In one of my second semester
classes,  I have a female 
Puerto Rican student
who is the barometer
of the  class.

When she acts up,
the whole class acts up -
and she has been
acting up
way too much
lately.

I have tried talking, calling,
writing dean referrals -
this kid is incorrigable.

I am in a foul mood this 
day teaching, and soooo 
tired of Ms. Latina's act.

I call her out to the hallway
and say,
"I just wanted you to know Miss,
I served in the Persian Gulf War
in 1991 and have 5 confirmed kills
and I also shot a dozen camels 
when I served there" 
while giving her the
1,000 yard stare.

She says,
"Yo Mister,  
you crazy!"

I respond and say,
"That's right,  
I am crazy,
and I have had
enough of your
UNACCEPTABLE
behavior in class!"

From that day on,
she behaved.

Amazing what a teacher
has to do to get class
under control sometimes
to make classroom management
acceptable for educating 
the youngsters.

Many teachers,
especially in urban districts
suffer from Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, but it
is not really talked about.

I felt a little guilt 
since I never served in 
the military.
I felt some guilt about lying
since I had been a pastor
five years previous,
however,
being able to finally
teach in this particular
class made it worth it,
especially for the students
who want to learn.