New York effect

May 2, 2020 | Florida | 30-39 years

I found myself as a substitute teacher in this classroom of kids. I was there with no notes or plans from the teacher, so I was just winging it with the kids, the problem is, kids get restless. It was good for a bit. We were getting to know each other, but shortly after things took a turn for the worse.

There was someone's parent there. He was huge! Super tall and strong. He was angry and super scary. He was getting increasingly more aggressive. I called the school administration for help, though they never sent anyone to help. The parent was still arguing with someone and actually picked them up and threw them as if they were a piece of luggage! I got in his face (well, not really in his face because he was about 2 feet taller than me) and told him he needed to leave. He wasn't listening at all. I called the cops, and this seemed to help, as he at least left the room. But he continued to scream into the room from outside the window. I got nowhere with the cops. I kept being transferred and no one ever came.

The students were a mix, some were quite calm and wanting to help ensure class went smoothly. Others were getting stir-crazy and jumping off the walls. One student suggested we call the local clown to come in and perform for them so that at least they'd be distracted/entertained. Sounded like a great idea! I called the local clown, but just like the cops and the school administration, I got nowhere.

At some point, some of the kids had ran away down the street and into the woods. It actually was a lot nicer, calmer, and I was able to engage with the kids that stayed. Eventually, the run-away kids came back. They came back all high. One of them had this double-joint (two joints side-by-side and somehow filtered down into one). I remember thinking to myself "man, A+ for ingenuity!” I confiscated the joint and had the class all walk back to the classroom. One of the girls called it the "New York effect". She was referring to the fact that the windows to the class didn't open and we couldn't get fresh air or go outside.

I had no idea what she meant, but now that I'm awake, I guess it makes sense.