To reiterate what’s already been posted, this summer I was an
English teacher for a program that served adjudicated youth. I’ve recalled the
experiences in various "parts" which are available for you to read in the list of
posts for August, 2015 all beginning with “Working with Adjudicated Youth…”
I believe excellent teachers are those who not only have
book knowledge, but also those who are able to make and sustain, to some
degree, connections with his/her students. I strive to be an excellent teacher,
because each student I teach, deserves one!
This summer was no exception. Early on as I was still
figuring out how this would work and testing the waters, we read a poem that my
middle school kids of yester-year enjoyed. It wasn’t anything African-American
related, but was on another “cool” topic, BUGS!!! The poem is titled, “Insect
Logic”. We read it. Later I rapped it to their beats! We had a blast. I
followed up a couple of days later by bringing in my class pets, four
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches!
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| Pics of our pets in my regular classroom (top) and at my home (bottom) |
(((BAM))) A connection!! One kid was really looking forward
to seeing them and another wished to God that I wouldn’t bring them! But all
were at least curious and talking about these….roaches!
On the day I brought them in, the one kid who was looking
forward to seeing them went all in! Opening the enclosure, he picked one up and
handled it, observed it, and really wanted to engage in a conversation about it
(them). The other hard core, macho, “thugs” cowered before the insects.
They’re here for serious crimes but are squeamish around the class pets! LOL!!!
I wish I could’ve take a picture of the reactions, of the hiding behind the
teacher, of the “ayo dawg, put that jawn back in the jawn yo! They tryna sleep!
They come out a night!” That was a good day!
UNfortunately, the kid who didn’t want to see them was due
in court and was absent from class. Upon returning the next day and finding out
that he missed out on the visitors, “Yoooo, I’m so *%&^ glad I wasn’t here
yo!! NOW ole ‘head, can’t get me!”
I brought them back the next day.
He was there the next day.
He would have NOTHING to do with me!!!! LOL!!!!
Me, “NOW young bol, GOTCHU!!”
lol
In addition to the bugs, I found that whenever they were a
bit obnoxious on a particular day and I was determined to teach the few who
were attentive, the discussions on Black History brought them right back in. Let
me set up the scene. There may have been 9 or 10 in the class. 7 may have been in
their bag that day. The 3 who wanted me to teach would be attentive and I would
teach. The 7 would slowly come around to either calming down and doodling or
even listening and contributing to the conversations, the writing, the film or
whatever! I noticed that more than once.
It’s important to note that while the experience was new to
me, I didn’t really take TOO much offense. They are in situations they probably
really don’t want to be in. (The word "probably" is there for a reason.) And here comes a teacher who is insistent on
teaching, in the summer, in their space, when some of them may not have sat in a classroom but a few times all
year long. I get it. Which is why I had to constantly “reroute”, just like
Siri. Establishing connections, and then new ones when new students came
through (all. summer. long.), was the only way that I was going to be
successful this past summer.
Previous Posts on Working with Adjudicated Youth (not advice, but my summer experience)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
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