Jessie and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I should have known when I brought a 3rd grader to the nurse 5 minutes after I'd arrived to school that today was not going to be a winner.  It was the second day that I had been teaching Ms. Baitzel's 2nd-grade class by myself.  Ms. Baitzel's throat had suddenly given out two days before and she had placed me in charge of her class.  Wednesday was fantastic.  The Lord had given me perfect angels Wednesday morning, who were more than happy to listen to the brand new and exciting Ms. Rock.  But something must have been in the water because the next morning they were wrestling on the reading rug and throwing folders across the room.
Nothing was working.  I flicked the lights, clapped three times, and whispered so that they had to lower the volume.  I publicly praised and privately disciplined.  I don't know how many times I said the words, "I need you to stop touching him and sit like a pretzel."  I stood next to the distracted, separated the talkers, and took away reward stickers.  But it didn't matter.  They knew that I was a newbie, and they were more than happy to take advantage of it.
Ten minutes before lunch, I decided that they needed to know who they were dealing with.  In my loudest "Ms. Rock" voice I said, "I cannot believe how disrespectful you are all being.  I am very disappointed in you."  The whole room went silent.  Enjoying this quiet opportunity, I said, "When you come back to this classroom after lunch, you will change your attitude.  You will be respectful.  Agreed?"  They all nodded.  As they lined up for pizza, I reminded them, "Now you've agreed to be respectful."  Sean, one of the sweetest and intelligent boys I know, muttered, "I didn't agree."  From the back of the room I heard Ms. Baitzel's voice for the first time in 48 hours.  "SEAN!"  Like a lion escaping from a cage, Ms. Baitzel put each and every student in their place.
Now, I love my class.  I love my school.  And I adore my teacher.  Most days I can't wait to get to school and I have to drag myself out the door.  But there some days that are harder than others.  So I've decided to take everything one day at a time.