That really stinks
! One thing you can do is to take apart the classmate and try to make tabs or bend new ones. Dont do this unless you are very confident in your ability to fix it!!!!!
Second, you can take it to a computer repair shop and i'm sure they can fix it for you. It's a pretty easy fix but you might need to get a new ethernet card in the process.
After you get it fixed use a small ethernet cable and a female-to-female plug to plug into, while leaving the short piece always connected into your computer. This will reduce wear and tear on the port and the new plug is easily replaceable.
Best of luck!
-Thomas
EDIT: I wouldn't buy a new classmate it seems to be an easy fix.
Alternatively, you could just jurryrig the plug with tape or zip ties such that its always in the port correctly,
then get a female to female plug for the other end.