Sub Vision: History in The Making

                                                 

     

At this unusual time I wish we were at school, especially high school, where we could discuss the events of these days.

Unfortunately, very few high schools, and even middle schools, leave any time for a discussion of the day. Where I grew up we had a designated teacher, referred as the ‘educator’, with whom we would discuss issues other than the subjects learned at school, during a designated time.

The closest we get here are those 5-10 minutes extension to one of the period, to facilitate special announcements and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Our district used to assign twenty minutes a day for these routines and for a ‘Silent Reading’.

Regrettably, very few schools still keep that routine. Out of the schools that I usually visit, I know of only one school that still does it. And worse, even there, very few teachers still follow it. This valuable time is usually just a wasted time...

Whenever I can, during those twenty minutes, or as an occasion arises for a ‘teaching moment’, I talk to the students, discuss current events, many times starting with informing them, as most are completely ignorant of the events surrounding them.

I wish at those moments that I was a history teacher, with the perspective knowledge, and understanding. History teachers can do so much to expand students’ awareness and horizons. It is, in my mind, the most important subject learned at school, and a good chunk of it should be dedicated to ‘Citizenship’.

If we were at school now, it would have been the perfect time to talk about inequality, injustice, racism, discrimination, bullying, along with standing up for what is right, being strong in sticking to your convictions, empathy, good citizenship, differentiating between right and wrong, good and evil. And most of all – the obligation to vote to make a change!

These events will be part of history and will be learned, hopefully, as a turning point in our justice system. Won’t it be nice to be now alongside our students, witnessing, and participating with them the making of history, enlighten them on the unprecedented events that are unfolding in front of their, and our, eyes…

Sub Vision: School Closure 4: The Graduating Class

The graduating class, that I will probably not see before they graduate and before they leave school, includes a variety of students that I came to be attached to over the years at my favorite school, and I will miss them…

There is a whole group of students from the special education program, smart, nice, polite and friendly. I have known most of them since they were in 9^th grade and noticed how they grew up over the years… Eduardo, Randy, Samantha, Emmanuel, Nicole, Luis are only some of the faces I am going to miss.

There is a girl in that group that I can’t think of her name but can clearly see her face. She was quiet and reserved, and during her first few years was often absent from class, but projected a strong character. She became teachers’ favorite in her senior year; teachers bestowed responsibilities on her and granted her privileges.

Then there is a student who was in a science class that I taught, an artist, who kept drawing in every class, regardless of the subject. I saw him at a computer art class few weeks before closure, still drawing on paper, not using computer art tools…

Another bunch is a troop of mid-eastern students who are both annoying and charming at the same time, doing the most irritating things. When they are in my class they walk around and talk to each other, shake hands with friends, and find an excuse to leave the class. When I am in a different classroom they pop in their heads and disrupt the order... They call my name during break and pretend it didn’t happen. They recently discovered my phone number and call me with a fake ID… And yet they are charming, cool, and funny enough, they think that I am cool…

There is this student that I remembered from his middle school, and not for a good reason. He had long blond hair and was rude and disruptive. When I tried to show familiarity, he sarcastically rejected my friendliness. Then he started 11^th grade and he changed, working at a nearby supermarket, he became a mature, serious student. His manners became polite, and even his haircut turned short and civilized.

And then, there is this cute boy who was in a 9^th grade math class where I helped a new teacher. He kept appearing at my side as I walked the school holes, checking if I still remember his name, always carrying a big book, dreaming of a big career.

I hope to see some of them in the community college, where I, sometimes, take a class. I would probably not recognize them, but hopefully they would recognize me…

Sub Vision: School Closure 3 - Social Distancing

During the last week of school before the closure, we started to be aware of social distancing, but not quite.

On the last day I worked at school, I was at one of my favorite classes, with one of my favorite assistants, and after a short hesitation we hugged. Later that day, at lunch, I saw a friend, a teacher, and this time I hesitated a little longer as I know her to be quite anxious about germs, but she did not seem to mind a hug. There were six of us at a small lunch room, around a small table, not too aware or worried about social distancing.

In one instance that day, when I worked at a different part of the school where I seldom go, I saw a staff member I haven’t seen in a while. When I offered a hug I noticed a clear hesitation, and this time I thought that I should be more careful not to make people uncomfortable invading their space.

Everything has drastically changed few days later. Schools were closed. People were distancing. Neighbors stopped casual meeting, friends stopped socializing. Media warned us not to get close to anyone, and I started to take it seriously.

Students are now at home, as well as all my friends from school. Occasionally we text each other, or talk, nostalgically, about our fun routine gatherings. We know it will be a while before we congregate for another casual lunch break. Ironically, now even the most frustrating working moments at school are remembered fondly.

I am paid for doing nothing, and feel guilty about that. What about students’ families, many of whom cannot afford staying at home and missing a paycheck? Hopefully feeding programs will continue, but would it be enough? And what about their other needs?

It is a strange and worrisome time, where wonderful people are doing wonderful things, especially health workers, and all I am doing is staying at home and worrying… And at a time when everyone needs at least few warm hugs a day, we are all asked to shelter in place and social distance…

Sub Vision: School Closure 2

On the last week of school before closure, I was at one of my favorite special education classes. This school has the best special education program, with the most qualified and dedicated teachers, most of whom I had known for years, since I worked there.

This group of students I was teaching just before the closure, are 12^th graders now.  I had taught this same group, for several weeks, four years ago, when they were 9th graders, as the school lost their permanent teacher and before they hired a new one.

This was quite a difficult group of students, smart but resentful, especially because their previous substitute teacher was much more lenient…

Over the years, I had seen them in different classrooms and watched them growing up. Some of them gained a foot in height, boys added facial hair and deeper voices, and the girls became young, smart looking, ladies. Most of them are now thoughtful young adults, taking responsibilities and seriously planning for their future.

With time, even the students who resented me most, became more friendly and appreciative, and just on that same week, the assistant told me, to my surprise, that one of the boys, with whom I  had many discipline issues, said he likes that I am their substitute teacher.

If the closure continues until the end of the school year, as they predict, it means I would not see this group of students at the school any more. I was already feeling sad every time I saw them, knowing they will graduate this year. Now I may not even see them before graduation…

Of course, I feel for them too. They will miss the thrill that comes with being the graduating class, respected by the younger students, befriended by teachers and staff, as they absorb the last memories of school days, realizing they will be leaving soon. And what about graduation ceremony, prom, senior activities and pranks? all those memories that carry you throughout life…

All through the school year students, teachers and staff are waiting for few days off, and the more the better. Now that we have them in abundance we wish we didn’t…

Sub Vision: School Closure

As soon as schools closed, everything got a new perspective… all of a sudden the irritating routines, the inefficient staff, the strict administrators, the rowdy students, all becomes near and dear…

Last week was just another week, with the bright spots of getting some agreeable comments from students, working with a good assistant, having lunch with friends, but also with some of the usual annoyances like miscommunications, misunderstandings, huge classrooms crowded with rude students…

Now that there are talks about possibly closing schools until the summer, it is depressing even for people who love staying at home, let alone for students who strive on social connection, and parents whose livelihood depends on going to work to provide for their families…

Last time I was employed was the week just before the closure. As I was working in different classrooms, I noticed the new types of desks most classes had. They are shaped like a trapezoid but with curvy sides, and can be put together in various forms. Different teachers combine them in diverse ways. Some put them in threes or more, the conservative teachers arrange them in twos, and the progressive ones arrange full circles, which makes me feel like I am in a summer camp…

As an old-fashioned teacher, I always liked the conservative arrangement of one student per desk, or two at the most, to break the social connections and make students pay attention to the teacher…

Now, like probably most of the students , I feel nostalgic for the combined desks, where students do communicate and socialize, and sometimes even help each other… because maybe socializing is the most important thing they do learn at school, after all…

Sub Vision: Dear Substitute Teacher

 It is the start of a new school year and whether you are excited to go back to work or wish you had a longer vacation, your summer vacation will probably last a little longer, as most teachers are still present in class. By the time calls start coming you will be mentally ready…

When that happens, be prepared with few items to help you in case you are sent to a class that is not ready for you. Think ahead of some activities that would occupy students in case they don’t have anything to do. Although many of them would not want to participate, some will, and it will make a difference.

I usually carry with me Sudoku to draw on the board and challenge students to solve it. If they are too lazy to copy it (occasionally I copy for them), some will be happy to do it on the board. You may also look for various brain puzzles. I recently found one with symbols representing expressions, and students really enjoy it...

Most classrooms are equipped with an electronic device that can run a movie. You may want to fetch few DVDs, as they are easy to carry. I usually bring a classic, not anything students would watch on their own, to introduce them to good old, yet entertaining, movies, like Charlie Chaplin’s or the Marx Brothers’.

For your own entertainment, bring something to read in case students are busy. Try not to use your cell phone, as it looks unprofessional. Reading a book or magazine will make you look professional, and will give students a good example. I usually carry with me the Time Magazine; it contains current news, fun facts and stories…

Take with you a snack and a bottle of water; you never know what the school cafeteria provides. Bring a hat in case you are to supervise an outside action, and a light sweater in case air-conditioning is too chilly.

Make sure you are cozy and mobile. Use a light handbag, comfortable shoes and be as self-sustained as possible; you may be at an unfamiliar school, or doing unplanned activity at the gym, out on the field, or in an office filing papers...

And my favorite… go to the cafeteria for nutrition and lunch (make sure you have few one dollar bills), and talk to someone; There is nothing as effective in relieving daily stress as talking to another adult who deals with similar situations...

Sub Vision: Dear Teacher...

I know, I am just a substitute and what do I know about your unique style, your great students, and your special relationship with them. You do want a good substitute to guard your precious learners and protect that distinct dynamic. I do understand that, and would love to follow your heart, however it is not that simple... I know the endless hours you invest in your profession; I used to do that too. I see both sides. However, I learned from experience that the special balance you have with your students exists only when you are there. As soon as a replacement is present, students become the rebellious kids, who want to play, not to learn…

No matter how much you trust those perfect students of yours, please leave them with some distinct work, to be completed by the end of the period; not tomorrow, not next week. It cannot be an ongoing project they are working on this week, or a paragraph to read, or studying for a test. They won’t do it! If the work you assign is not on a paper, collectible by me, the preferred way of accountability, if it is electronic, make sure that the deadline is by the end of the period. Make sure they know it, they know you are going to check, and please do so. If they don’t have to show a completed work by the end of the period, trust me, they would NOT do it.

Please leave with me a seating chart. There is nothing as magical for behavior control as seating charts. As long as they know I can find out their names, and they will be answerable for their behavior, they will behave. Don’t just leave me a note to report to you the misbehaving people. They know I don’t know their names and they trust their friends not to tell me.

Please leave me some space on your white, or black, board, where I can find room to put on the date and my name. I would also like, if possible, to write your instructions on the board, just in case someone will claim I never told them…

Whatever instructions you gave the students before I came, please give them to me too. I would like to be informed of what I am supervising, and what your expectations are. I want to be able to tell students to do their work, and to know they really do have work, otherwise I will have to trust their word that they have nothing to do…

And… when they tell you I was mean, it is OK to sympathize with them, if you need their affection, but please be assured in your heart that I was doing my job…