I think colleagues think of me as a pushover. If they get tired of students, they send them over to me at the wrong times even though I'm busy with other students. Some of those students have severe behavioral/emotional issues that require ALL of my focus and energy.
I would love to have some of the kids all day every day, but I have other commitments, too, and it would be nice to have lunch and to use the bathroom once in awhile. Last year, I decided that a good solution would be to pick up those students when it was time for me to have them, and I discussed it with the teachers in very clear but kind terms. It worked for about a week, but invariably, the teachers would gradually start sending them over again no matter the time. Also, I can't just turn the little monsters away once they are with me because it would hurt their feelings. I'm like a mom to some of them.
There are other situations like this one as well. This is just one example. I've been given extra duties which involve going in early, staying late, and doing extra work that is not part of my job description. My pay has been awful, but it's going to improve in the next couple of weeks. It's a complicated situation.
Anyway, so yeah, I prefer being a lone wolf. I struggle with finding the right balance between being nice and being firm, so I err on the side of caution and am nice, but it's not exactly working out for me.
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Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven. – Satan and TwilightPrincess