where's my place?

I think I'm regressing in maturity as I get older.

I got an email just before my first lesson denying my request to extend my milk permission.  I think the old me would have expected that - but the current me feels the blow to my pride.  How I've been grouped together with every other teacher always looking for the advantage, and who those in charge must say no on the very principal of the question.  My integrity to ask permission, my extra hours, my hard work - they are irrelevant in face of the rules.

The danger with unhappy teachers, spouses, children ... any environment really... is the frustration with one will transfer to another group.  So I found myself so extremely frustrated with my students today.  Students I am required to use technology with, but they haven't been taught the basics.  Students that their battery is dead, the computer isn't working, the account isn't opening, the internet isn't connecting... and so on.

Not to mention my tables and chairs were all moved this morning, and my electrical outlets weren't working.

So as I look at my 20 students with their individual issues, it's hard to give them grace for their individual situations when the example set to me is: no exceptions.

And this order given by a gay man with no children who is retired and lives on campus - 5 minute walk from the front door.  It's not fair for me to compare or to assume to know what the issues are, but I just did.

I guess I'm frustrated, because for once - I'm looking at a place with eyes on the next 20 years.  Is this how its going to be?