I Am Not a Total Loser!

I am happy to report that this last week of student teaching, for the most part, went much better than the previous one. The students are starting to accept the fact that I might actually know a thing or two about what I am talking about, and they are starting to realize that when they try to cross me, they face my wrath. :-) Only four students got the boot to the hall this week, which I consider great progress.
I am also very happy to report that I now have a university supervisor! I had heard rumors of said supervisor, but only Thursday was the news confirmed when she herself made contact. She came to meet with me on Friday, where we met during my planning period, and then she observed the following class. She is a lovely and very knowledgeable woman who seems most interested and invested in helping me become a great teacher, and survive this process. What a blessing and a relief to have someone from the outside come in and see where I am and offer me some outsider validation!
During our meeting, I expressed my frustrations, and difficulties, as well as my triumphs (few as they may be,) but then when she observed, she was observing my one really good class, so after she looked at me and said "I don't know what your talking about, they seem like a dream." Well of course- this is my one good class! the one with all the "highly capable" kids in it!
She did say however that she thought I was doing very well and that it seems like I have a great lesson/unit plan in place. So in fact I'm not a total loser after all! Woo hoo!

As soon as she left, everything went to pot; as is to be expected I am sure.
The day ended when a student said "spank you" instead of "thank you" to me. Twas not the time nor the place for him to say such a thing, and as my mentor teacher jockingly pointed out, he may have become my sacrificial lamb. I was quick to point out to the student that I am in fact a teacher, not his "friend" and to say such a thing is neither cute, nor acceptable. I continued by asking if he would say such a thing to the other teachers...he said he was just kidding. To which I said..."would you kid like that with the other teachers?" He responded, "no, but you're cooler than most of the other teachers" I said, "I'm not that cool"
I needed to go home. So did the students. Thank goodness it was Friday.
Tomorrow I teach about Antietam, Gettysburg, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg address in 80 minutes or less, all while challenging them, stimulating their minds, and differentiating to each student's learning levels and abilities. This outta be interesting.