attitude makeover in progress

I have successfully made it through the last three days of school without giving much of a shit about anything.  I'm working the children to death.  Secretly, they like it.  I can tell they prefer working on problems to taking notes on theories.  I've dialed back the notes, simplified the instructions, and things seem to be working better.  They are probably not getting the whole picture, but they are getting all the pertinent information in a snapshot lecture.  

I have stuck to my hardline philosophy of non-negotiable behavior.  They know what I expect of them and they must meet my expectations.  I remind them that it is December, not September, and that they fully know my rules and procedures by now.  No argument necessary.  No negotiation.  Meet my standard or fail.  Behave as expected or suffer the consequences.

I was talking to a colleague about his cool demeanor the other day, telling him that I was trying to emulate his levelheadedness.  He gave me a good piece of advice.  Don't get angry.  What's the point of yelling in a kid's face when you're just going to be met with a blank stare and a shoulder shrug from the youthful offender?  That made perfect sense and goes along nicely with my non-negotiable behavior policy.  Why do I get drawn into these little power struggles?  No more, I say!

Running late.  Need to get dressed, eat breakfast, drive to work, and whip up a few solutions before Chem Lab today.