First let me preface this by saying how RARE it is for me to become angry at work. In 20 years of teaching at the same school, I've never confronted a coworker before, but I did this morning.
I had applied for an "early departure" to go attend to some business during the afternoon. There are three other teachers to whom I could disperse my two classes of 6th graders, making it about 4 students to each class. This all has to be approved by the principal, and no little thing to do. I had already notified the three other Related Arts teachers, and we do this for each other when emergencies arise and we have to leave early.
I have never applied for permission to do this during this school year. One teacher does it all the time, at least once a week, and I always say "fine," send them on to me. This same teacher came into my classroom before classes started this morning, and said, Please don't send me any of your 6th graders this afternoon. I have to keep one student from ISS (In School Suspension), and I can't handle having anyone else. I was miffed! I said..."You're asking me not to send you any of my students because you will have ONE extra student in your room?" She went on talking, but I couldn't even hear her. I went to the other teachers to see if I could re-arrange the number of students and she came into the room. When she and I were alone, I told her, angrily, that she left her students with us all the time, and what if I did that to her? She could see I was upset (and honestly, I don't know WHY I got so upset!) She finally said she'd take some of my students.
Later, during our break, I went and apologized to her, and told her the students would be fine in the other classes.
I am wondering why I became so upset?!!! Also wondering if I was right to apologize to her. I do know that if I had had just one other student in my room, I would not deny her sending students to me if she had to leave.
I am actually thinking my reaction is due to this attempt I'm making to reduce and wean off Paxil. If so, it's kind of scary to me. I don't like getting angry!
Patty