The most difficult task that I encounter daily is maintaining composure, optimism and patience in the face of adversity. As students swear, disrespect and prank each other, it requires quite a bit of internal fortitude to
- react as an adult; meaning I cannot laugh, even if it’s really funny.
- react fairly in every situation; whether it’s the sweetest/smartest kid or the disrespectful slacker as the offending party.
- stay in character; a teacher is on stage for a sold out theater every day.
- not open up a can of whup-ass on the worst kids.
I rented Rambo (2008) two nights ago, and I noticed many uncanny similarities between the Burmese civil 
war/conflict that is portrayed without moderation or censor, and my fifth and sixth period classes. I often feel that my students each possess a sadistic taste for masochism. It is most evident when each of them, in turn, requests to go to the bathroom. I confirmed with other instructors that this is the case in their classes as well. I suspect that they have developed an elaborate communication network whose hub is located in the bathroom. This allows the students in each different room (the SPDC) to remain in constant communication to maintain their oppression of the teachers (the rebels). Furthermore, I noticed in John Rambo things that I aspire to possess in my classroom life, like the ability to rip someone’s throat out with my hands, cheetah-like reflexes, and an iron will. Also, in each installment of his franchise, he encounters situations that require composure, optimism and patience in the face of adversity. But most of all, it is his desire to do right, stand up for justice, and help those weaker than himself that sets him apart from other action film protagonists. Well those qualities, and his unique ability to relentlessly kill the shit out of people.
