Four Tardies on the First Day

I have been receiving a lot of questions about teaching high school. How is it? Are you scared? What is it like? Do the kids listen?

So, this is my first year teaching high school and CHEMISTRY at that. So, how did my first week go? Well, on the first day I had 4 tardies in one class alone. So, what did I do? I asked the 4 perpetrators to wait outside until I had finished my thought with the class, and then I went outside and made a deal with them. The deal was: they make it to my class before anyone else the following day, or they will serve an after school detention alphabetizing my chemical closet. Not fun.

The high school has a 15 minute break before this particular class which is nice and relaxing. So what happened? The next day, as break begins, I see a commotion in the hall. My four students are running fast to get to class. People were amused to see these four students busting tail to be the first in the room. They made it, while the rest of my class enjoyed their break. How many minutes were left? 12! I let them in my class, and then I went to grab a drink and some sunshine.

So, who has been late since? Not a one. So, how is high school? Pretty fun as of week one. Enjoy your day and smile. Somewhere in the world there are teens arriving early for education.