The guardian at the gate

In my last post, I said that I was going to try and turn over a new leaf and be less of an asshole to kids that pissed me off.  Today I kind of failed, although I'm not sure I feel bad about it.

I railed on a middle schooler who had grabbed another kid's backpack and... well... tried to run out the door.  I could tell by the look on the other kids face that this was not just horseplay between friends - this kid was being bullied.  I got to the door first.  I was not soft spoken about my displeasure.  I told him that he was to give the backpack back, and never to try something like that in my classroom again.  I told him that if this was his idea of fun, that he had no place in the music program.  We treat each other better here.

He gave the backpack back and walked away.  I don't expect to see him again.

The offender was a kid on my roll sheet. Was. I didn't kick him out - he was a kid who had been misplaced in my band.  (After years of my pleading, you would think the counselors would check with me before enrolling kids in my classes.  At least they could remember that guitar has no place in a wind band.)  We were waiting for his class schedule to be re-processed, and for him to be switched into my beginning class to learn a proper band instrument.  That was the plan.  Unbeknownst to me - he had already gone to his counselor to be switched into digital arts, instead.  And while I had resolved myself to work with him, even though I could tell that band was not his "thing", I think it may have been for the best.  

I couldn't help but wonder if my reaction wasn't fueled in part by my own childhood experiences.  I was the kid who had his backpack (and other belongings) taken and stuffed God-knows-where around campus. Was I bringing down swift justice, or was I wreaking vengeance in the name of the offenses committed against a 13-year-old me?

Take note.  File it.  Carry on.  In the mean time, I have my village and my peoples.  I tolerate no brigands at the gate.