It seems like every new teacher is 'tested' by their students. My test was a particularly interesting experience. I was a skinny white kid working in an urban alternative school. Many of my students were felons and most of them had spent time in the Juvenile Detention Center. I was also out in a trailer separate from the main building, so I was cut off from most support.
A couple weeks into school I had two students start threatening to fight. Desks started getting pushed out of the way and the students were starting to form a circle around the two guys. I had been told to never jump in between two students because I could get seriously hurt, so I did the only thing that made sense.
Me: "Guys, take it out to the parking lot."
Everyone: "What?"
Me: "Seriously take it out to the parking lot, I don't want you breaking any of the computers in here. I am going to call in security, but it will probably take them a couple of minutes to get down. You guys will have plenty of time to get your blows in because I honestly don't expect your fight to last more than 30 seconds or so."
*The entire class is dead silent. Most students have a look on their face that says, 'This white dude is fucking crazy!'"
Me: "Well if you aren't going to fight sit back down so we can learn some math."
I never had anyone try to fight in my room again for the rest of the year.
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