This morning at a conference I had to attend as part of OTF, I was asked to give a welcome to other first year teachers...and here is what I said.....
I am currently teaching a high school special day class where I teach 4 core subjects to a group of 15 students on a daily basis.
It is hard to believe that it is the first week in December as I can vividly remember almost every single school day since August 31st.
I remember the very first student I met, K, who comes to class early every morning to play my favorite music, country. He does it just to be nice even though I know he secretly hates country music. I can remember L, the student who consistently gets dismissed from my class, coming back after school one day to ask if I would write a letter to his girlfriend for him. I remember the day that C, a student who ALWAYS says at least 1 highly inappropriate thing to me every day, staying at lunchtime to let me know that if any student tried to hurt me, he would be there to protect me because I am a good teacher. I also remember the 2nd day of school and the exact moment that I was caught like a deer in headlights when 2 boys started a physical fight inside my classroom-I was not prepared to react.
But, in a little over 3 months I have had the privilege to get to know 15 incredible students. Each of them arrives at school looking for love and support and the opportunity to learn so that they can succeed after high school. I would be lying if I said this job hasn’t tested my patience, determination and sheer will. My students have tested my ability to remain calm when there is nothing else calm in the room; they have forced me outside my comfort zone when trying to de-escalate a verbal/physical confrontation; my students have taught me what it means to be resilient when they show up to school every day no matter what.
I think the best way to characterize my experience thus far is to share this past Wednesday with you. This past week has been extremely tough with most of my students being involved in some sort of confrontation with one another, and many inappropriate behaviors during the time we spent together. During 2nd period, I was hardly teaching because I was dealing with students outside while still trying to maintain the class inside. A freshman student needed to be dismissed for the day and I was discussing with him outside the reasons why he was leaving and he started to cry with me. He didn’t go into much detail but let me know that I have no idea what home life is like. It was a BIG step for him as this student has always put up very tough skin. The bell rung and 3rd period came. It was still chaos. I decided that instead of teaching science that I would put my students in a circle and let them know the reality of what was going on. For the next 30 minutes, I talked and for the first time, there was complete silence in the room. Each student looked me in the eye and understood exactly what I was saying. I expressed to them why I am teaching in Oakland and why I show up to school every single day. I let my 15 students know that I love and support each one of them and the goals we have set for them are achievable. We talked about building a class community where we support one another and build each other up instead of tearing one another apart.
And, then I cried. I cried in front of my class. I couldn’t hold in my frustration, and the pure anxiety I have when I think that these 15 students may never graduate unless we can get them on track. I think ultimately they were shocked because no one said anything for a couple minutes. And then L, the student who I love and hate, said, “Well, we want you to know that we show up to school to see you for 4 1/2 hours a day for a reason. We make that choice when we wake up in the morning. I hope that means something to you.” He then came and gave me a hug…
To each of you, I hope that you have had that moment that has reaffirmed why you teach in Oakland. These students are incredibly brilliant, resilient and motivated. And it is our job to give them the quality education that they deserve. Thank you for the work you have done in the past 3 months and thank you for the incredible work you will continue to do for years to come…
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