8TH-GRADERS: THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE AT NORKEM PARK H.S.!!

It sure looks like a pleasant bunch of kids, right? Well, for the most part they were a (sort of) pleasant group. They could be, on any given occasion, little devils! The young girl sitting to my left is one of my favorite 8th-graders: her name is Petunia. Her parents could have named her after any flower--she was a wonderful, attentive youngster. Somehow I would read a look of consternation on her face most times when she was in my classroom. The look was there because of her peers who could have given two hoots about learning. Frankly, most of them were just there to have fun--and to see how they could challenge this American teacher to his wits end! Frustrating, but I still love 'em...