On My 11s Totally Draining Me

So today I had a new TA join my bottom set 11 class. I'm not entirely sure why the old one was replaced, because I still see her around the school, but you certainly won't hear me complaining. The new lady seems to be a huge improvement, she actually tried to get the student to work, though I must admit that's going to be a struggle for her. That said, I have full confidence in her ability to crack him. She seems like a tough bird.

However, just like every day with these kids, I failed to truly get them under control. While I read aloud to them they were relatively quiet; the girls weren't paying attention, and giggled the entire time, and the boys mostly sat staring into space. However, it took me forever to get them down to task, and then they would stop suddenly and burst into these bizarre violent and loud outbursts. Every time I had the hardest time reigning them back in...and the entire time I felt like this new TA was severely judging me. I could feel in her stare the word 'rookie'. I was so embarrassed half the time, because this is how my classroom management appears to a new person; piss poor.

I few times she said, "It's that boy at the back distracting everyone..."
"Yah, I know," I said.

I even tried to send the damn kid out. Twice. He wouldn't go. And both times he had girls jump to his defense, and say it was their fault he had been acting out. And they didn't say it because they like him; he's an extremely fat, lazy, asshole. There is no chance of their having a schoolgirl crush on him. Maybe their defense of him was more a pack mentality thing. Whatever it was, in hindsight I should have sent the girls out instead, if they wanted to take the blame. God. I just can't get it right, can I? Of my six classes, this is one of the two I absolutely dread having. The worst of it is, the kids in this class don't hate me. In fact I think half of their terrible behaviour stems from the fact that they like me, but they don't see me as an authority figure. They are too comfortable, and they think they can walk all over me. Sadly, I really do think it's too late for me to make a considerable change in their behaviour...so the stress I experience from this class is likely to continue until I see them no more. Joy.

I suppose I should have gone and gotten the Department head to drag the kid out, if he wouldn't go on his own. If he won't listen to my authority, he would likely listen to hers. She's an imposing figure. I wish I had that power.

But anyways, I don't want to bitch on and on today, so I will end it now...

Cheers.