Yes, this image is very similar to what happened this morning at work. Let me explain. It's a long story, but a very satisfying one.


The mother of the most problematic student in the most problematic group arrived 10 minutes before class was scheduled to start. A very short 13-year-old boy. Why? Because, according to the student, he had gotten a 6 on the written exam, and since he'd passed, he didn't have to attend the make-up exam. But I had sent him a note in the communication book showing that he had gotten a 1 and hadn't shown up on the make-up exam day. He hadn't passed the oral exam either, hadn't turned in his folder, and hadn't passed or even started any work. A very easy case for me.


So, when the mother pulled out the supposed 6-point grade, the tutor immediately said, "But this grade isn't yours. It's filled with white-out pencil, and the real owner's last name is clearly visible." Period. The student was blatantly lying to his mother while looking her in the eye. He's going to be an excellent politician.


Let's move on to the statement. In 15 years, no statement was ever sent stating that a student who passed the exam doesn't have to attend because it's explicitly prohibited. Of course, the student FALSIFIED THE ENTIRE STATEMENT he presented to his mother. That's very easy to prove.


I didn't even mention that he had also STOLEN the plans from a classmate; it wasn't necessary. The mother, by now, knew perfectly well that her son had led her into a trap where everything she believed was a lie. Besides, she already knew how he worked: I had two of his children two years ago, and they both did exemplary work.

Even under pressure from the tutor, the workshop manager, and his own mother, with all the evidence, it took almost 10 minutes until he admitted that he had thrown away his test, falsified the statement, stolen plans, and lied through and through. I just looked at him with a face of "I've been saying this for weeks," without saying a word.


The mother didn't hit him just because we were there, but the poor woman was shaking with rage, and rightfully so. It must have been interesting when the boy returned home three hours later.


The punishment, to my taste, was nothing. A one-day suspension from homeroom and workshop next Tuesday. But if I already had everything to fail him, it's not even worth it now.


I know perfectly well that he's NOT sorry at all. Now, of course, he behaves like an angel and would do absolutely anything I tell him instantly without hesitation. I still have to put up with this group (this student is the worst, but there are MANY bad students in this group, both A and B, that is, the whole week) for two and a half weeks, but I will personally take it upon myself to slowly grind them down until I fail them for good. They think they don't care, but they will care a lot when they lose summer vacation when I DON'T pass them in December either. My own version of strangling Admiral Ozzel. For now, I just carry on as if nothing's happening, earning (bad) grades and (lack of) work with them. I like to make one definitive move at the end.