This week I had to stand up to three teachers including my CT for one of my students. My students went up to the library to continue working on their research papers with my collaboration teacher while I gathered a few extra outlines that my students would undoubtedly need. Once I got up to the library (about two minutes after my students)the librarian immediately grabbed my ear. She informed me that one of my students brought a coffee into the library and that she was very rude to her. (E.P.H's has a hard fast rule in their school, students are not allowed to have anything but water in class.) I told her that I would speak to the student and take care of it and had her point the student out to me.
When I spoke to the student she began to get visibly upset and saying she can't throw it out. She began turning blotchy red and looked close to tears. I sat down and asked her what is really going on. I figured for her to be this upset it had to be about more than just a cup of coffee. Her actions and attitude were not typical from what I have seen in previous classes. She was hesitant but said "Miss V. I have Crohn's disease. I usually drink my stuff at home but I didn't have time this morning. It tastes awful in anything except coffee." I said "ok, I will take care of it but you need to apologize to the librarian." She agreed and did so later. I also asked if the nurse was aware of the situation and she said "no." I also informed her she would need to go and speak to the nurse.
I returned and to speak to the librarian. Upon walking over she told me she was throwing out the coffee. I asked her not to and explained the situation. She went off saying they are not supposed to have coffee. I explained I would gladly handle any fall out from the incident. In the meantime the collaboration teacher came over and agreed with the librarian. I again explained the situation. The collaboration teacher told e there was nothing listed on her chart on the computer. I didn't give in and they accepted the terms of the arrangement.
Finally, I thought the situation was resolved but it was not. Once I went downstairs to my classroom my Ct teacher asked me what happened. The news had already traveled. I went through the whole incident again with her. She told me "I don't want to say she lied to you but I have never heard about it." For a brief second I replayed the incident in my head and though maybe I am wrong. Then I saw the students face in my head and how upset she was. I felt as though I was still right but didn't say anything. I did however have that brief moment of doubt. My ct then told me that she was going to the students next class and taking her out and down to the nurse. She was going to tell her how concerned she was. My ct said that you can't accuse them of lying because if they are right we could get sued. And off she went!
My Ct came back to class and said well if she is lying she is doing a really good job. My student said that she was just recently diagnosed. The ct overheard her talking to the nurse and it all sounded like the truth.
My silver lining? My student now has the little medical sign on her chart so there will not be further problems like this for her. Also, I found it in myself to stand up for my student and something I felt was the right thing to do even though it put me in a difficult position. I don't know, I like to give people a chance maybe it's because I am not jaded yet or that I am naive sometimes. I tend to see the the good in people unless they give me a reason not to. Perhaps it is just my personality. I'm just glad it didn't turn out she was lying. I know it could have gone a lot differently and that would not have been cool.
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