Problem Child

Every teacher has one. That one kid who just can't control himself (or herself) from talking out loud, making rude noises, or falling out of their desk to get attention (I really hate that move) and I have a Shelvie. God bless his evil little soul. That child just can't keep his mouth shut. Like, literally, I think he is genetically predisposed to just talk without knowing what he's saying or actually having anything to say. However, he is smart and he's sweet and kinda (maybe sorta kinda) funny sometimes. Okay, okay, I love him. But he is a serious problem. So what to do about the Shelvies in your life? Good question. I pondered this for months and fought and kicked and screamed going into third block because HE was there. Once, (here I cringe) I even told him that I hated that class because of him. I know! I'm a terrible teacher, person, everything. But I was at the end of my rope and it was a long drop to the bottom. So I panicked. He just looked at me with an evil little grin on his face that is very Shelvie of him and said, "Good."
Tell the world I suck at this but one day I was complaining to a fellow conspirat- I mean teacher about this... living furby in my classroom and she was like "Ohh yeah, I had the same problem until one day I let him listen to his music on his earphones and I forgot he was in the room."

What.

This. This was the best idea I've- I mean Mrs. Blackburn has ever had :) I went straight to third block with a determined glint in my eye and as soon as individual practice time came along I tried out her plan. Omg it worked. Not only did it work for him, but the other students wanted to listen to their music too and I was like shoot yeah!! Y'all, it was so quiet. I thought I had died and gone to teacher heaven. Ever since, Shelvie has become one of my favs and now he just torments me in the hallway with creepy stares and new phrases he likes to use.

Hopefully, if you're having trouble with one kid, this could be useful for you. If you're still part of a school district stuck in the Twilight Zone and you can't let kids use their phones or listen to music I feel bad for you son. I got 99 problems but a Shelvie ain't one! Heh.