I Can Walk Out Too

This afternoon I had to cover a meeting with a student, her mother, her guidance counselor and major teacher. I was there as the Dean. All Knowing, All Powerful, Whip These Kids into Shape Guru, Dean. Sometimes I wonder how many years it takes for a teacher to get that tired that s/he thinks a Dean can make a student behave that hasn't been behaving for three years. I mean really - I give consequences - I don't perform miracles. It is obviously a bigger issue. Bigger than the teacher. Bigger than a consequence. If I had the energy to do so, I would say it is obvioulsy a guidance issue. I would explain, but I just can't anymore.

I talked sternly. The parent looked pleadingly. The teacher explained. The counselor counseled on why her program could not be changed. The student looked at her fingers. I spoke about consequences "Possible Suspension!" the parent about futures "It's not her fault she's acting this way" the teacher about her bad behavior. The student sucked her teeth. I tried to counsel her, her mother yelled at her, the teacher gave up. Three adults sat there, leaning forward, elbows on the table, invested. The student shot out of her chair and left the conference room.

"I could do that too" I announced to the room. Yes. They said. You could. "I could just get up and leave in the middle of a meeting just like that." They looked at me.

I think I'm losing it.