Friday was the most interesting day of the week.
At lunch Miss Q watched the girls handle the unfolding drama. Uniqua, while not being someone you want on your bad side, is an amazing friend to have.
SkinnyJeanz was in tears. Solomon was still making fun of her and her boyfriend. Her sisters were mean to her at home. Uniqua came out stong across the table.
"I am so tired of hearing about how M____ keeps making fun of you. Make fun of her. I don't know. Do something. I have problems too. But I don't focus on them because I know I'm not the only one with problems."
Miss Q just watched. It was obvious that she and Skinnyjeanz had talked it over before at sleepovers and things. Immediately I thought of Lady Finch and how she would talk about the difference between carrying burdens and loads. Not that Miss Q remembers the difference, but I think that Uniqua was using some tough love.
I knew SkinnyJeanz would be fine with so many friends and even the Custodians comforting her. But it was all so great to just watch.
Also, today Misz Boss had to go to a meeting, leaving Miss Q to take them to lunch, to the bathroom, and to paly sparkle untill it was time to go to the library.
Lunch and the bathroom was a breeze. They were used to following my directions in those cases, trusting me and staying relatively quiet when I told them to wait to let the other class go to the bathroom. Being calm and authoritative had become an easy role to slip into.
However the dynamic got a little shaky when we went back to the room to play Sparkle and they realized Miz Boss still was not there. Miss Q remained calm and the turtles for the most part tried to listen to her. Honestly, I think they wanted to things to run as smoothly with me as with Miz Boss. But at the same time, they were so sure of how things were supposed to go. They each tried to help me by explaining exactly how Miz Boss did things.
Even though the reminders were helpful now and then, it got messy when the turtles started to police themselves. A bit too helpful. Next time, I need to pick one person to remind me of something on behalf of the class if they absolutely have to. Otherwise, they need to calm down and trust me and listen like they would any other Sub.
"They're just acting like this because Miz Boss isn't here." said Uniqua, reproachfully for my sake.
I didn't feel irritated, though. They seemed really endearing to me at that point, each trying to help the class run like it's supposed to but causing more confusion in the process. There were a few bumps, but all in all we made it to the library five minutes late.
The class relies so much on order, rules, consequences, authority and knowing exactly what's supposed to happen next. Even though it wasn't perfect, I was honored that they expected that same picture from me and from themselves with me in charge. Any group of kids deserves someone that can to that for them, and I have no doubt that I can be that person.
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