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I Seeeeeeeee Youuuuuuu

Teaching the last period of the day is the worst, especially in a school like mine. During this time, I'm completely exhausted and for good reason: I've been on my feet all day explaining, lecturing, discussing and entertaining. I would much rather have this period off and use it to recharge my batteries than to have to deal with a 25% (or less) attendance rate.

Most students in my school decide it's okay to ditch 7th period. You know, because staying an extra 54 minutes is just asking for too much. Last Wednesday, four students who I know for sure were in the school building didn't make it to my 7th period class. Instead of simply letting it slide and hoping the administration does its job, I decided to take the law into my own hands. I paused the class mid-lesson, hopped onto my computer, logged into my e-mail, and began crafting this in front of everyone:
date          Wed, Sep 23, 2011 at 2:45 PM
subject      cuttin' class

So yes, I saw you all today in school, and yet, here we are in 7th period and you are not here. By the way, the entire class is watching me type this on the SMARTboard...

Okay, so given for most of you, this is your THIRD year in a TWO-YEAR school, I assume you will have all the stuff we learned today (and days before) mastered.

Do not expect that I (as your teacher) will make EXTRA TIME to baby you and re-teach this stuff to you.

If passing this class isn't a concern, I suppose at least not looking like a fool in front of everyone else is. I expect you'll make a bigger effort to stick around til the end of 7th.

Ta ta,
- Yo Mista
The next day, all four of them showed up. In fact, two of them even responded with an apology that very night. Lesson learned: always call out your students. I seeeeeeeee youuuuuuu.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Keep up the good writing, seriously. You need to write more posts.
September 26, 2011 at 7:31 AM
Anonymous said…
That was genius! I reported one of my cutters last week, and lo and behold, he showed up for class today! Perhaps I should craft a similar email. No wait, never mind. My students will still have a read a book....
September 26, 2011 at 9:59 PM
Anonymous said…
FALSE: I'M INVISIBLE THEREFORE I AM BOSS.

YOU LOSE.
September 27, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Yo Mista! said…
@ Anonymous #1:
Thanks!

@ Anonymous #2:
Nice work!

@ Anonymous #3:
lol
September 27, 2011 at 10:52 PM
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