Sometimes, I think I should be a high school counselor instead of being a teacher. To teach can be so emotionally draining, especially when you're at a standstill with a student. Other times though, when you remove the student from his/her peers, the difference in behavior is tremendous. Without the societal pressures to maintain a certain image-- a certain pride -- the student lays down his/her guard and becomes almost.. human. Moises, who cut class on Monday, who refused to take his quiz on Friday, approaches me during lunch and we have a good half hour talk about what's going on. Catherine, who refuses to go to triage because it's "effin' Emilio's fault for throwing sh*t at me", is able to acknowledge and not only understand her trespasses, but actually take ownership of her misbehavior (and dirty mouth) once she is separated from her instigators. We finally understand one another (I hope). And Evy.. well, Evy and I have yet to reconcile.. yet again. In time, or until next time, I suppose.

I'm exhausted though.