The student who took over the class

As a teacher, I believe in rituals and routines. I also believe rituals and routines ought to give way to teachable moments or some better "other" if the moment is perfect for such.

After lunch today, a student took over the first 15 minutes of the class. And I let him. He had their attention and he was ready. It started out as a joke, naturally. "Ayo, I'm the teacher today yo! Open y'all books to chapter 2. That's where we at, sir, right?"

But when I just stood out of the way and let him, he ran with it.

Me, "Yes, sir."
Student 1, "You seriously gone let him teach?"
Me, "Yes. And Mr. , I hope you consider a career in teaching. We need more Black men in the field."
Him, "Iont know yet. Ard. Who wanna read first?"

The classroom takeover continued for about 15 minutes as students raised their hand to volunteer to read paragraphs at a time from Sharon Flake's "The Skin I'm In". He even called on ME and my hand wasn't even up. Do you know what I did? I read, just like he asked me to.

I want to divulge more about why this kid taking over the class was so significant, but doing so would reveal more than needs to be known. Just know and believe me when I say, this was big!!

A little note on "research-based"

So, "research-based" huh?
Stick with a particular curriculum because it's that.
Stick with particular processes because they are that.
Stick with a particular teaching model because it's that.
We do it this way with this curriculum using this method because it's that.
Research-based.

While I can and do appreciate the work of researchers, the truth is we can find research for anything we want in order to support our position. I read and respect the work of those who take the time to study the myriad phenomena interwoven in this work and in turn seek to develop materials to aid teachers in our engagement in this work. But even researchers would agree that we must view research critically.

Who funded the research?
What populations of students were selected? Where? Why? How? When?
Who benefits/profits?
Are students exploited, especially students of color?
Were Hassan B. Robinson* or Maria P. Nunez*, students in my classroom, a part of that study?
Etc.
Etc.

Here's my on-the-ground, in-the-classroom perspective; my view from 105:
Whatever helps the students sitting in front of me and on a more personal level, the student with whom I'm working at the moment, that in-the-moment research, that action research, those methods are what this student needs at this moment. It may be the curriculum. Great! But, we cannot be so rigid in our approach that we are afraid to make adjustments so that our students experience success and growth. I say growth because experiencing success isn't enough. Some will lower the standard to make success possible. Pseudo-success and faux-progress aren't what our students deserve. No, no, no! Negative.

Remember, "research" once said the world was flat, that Africans were less intelligent than whites, and that Blacks have a "violence gene". We must be critical thinkers and educators.

*Fictitious names

When Mother Stood Up

I couldn't have scripted a better ending to one of my classes if I tried.

Today, after a review of "rhetoric" and making attempts at identifying examples of rhetorical devices in 2 presidential speeches (Obama's '09 Back to School speech & Abe Lincoln's Gettysburg Address) we discussed an article we read and summarized for a "Do Now" (I hate that term, btw) the previous class session. During the previous class session we read an article by Franklin McCain on his and his comrades' experiences during their lunch counter sit-ins in Greensboro.

The discussion was lively. The students were really taking a critical look at the circumstances that surrounded these and other acts of civil disobedience.

But then a colleague in the room stood up. I'll call her, "Mother". Mother stood, gave some insight into some of her personal experiences as a woman from the continent of Africa and a citizen of the United States. She detailed some of the prejudice she and her family encountered and what she did to fight it. Mother also took the time to remind our dear young people how they come from the lineage of African royalty! That they should speak and behave as such; that they should carry themselves as such; that getting an education was beyond important, especially for Black and Brown children in the United States!

Listen here! Mother's sassines didn't upset me one bit! Didn't seem to bother the kids none either, for they gave her a raucous round of applause when she got through! If Mother had a mic, it'd be broke.

With that, class was dismissed.

Why was I surprised?

If you follow my career, tweets, and/or blog posts, you may know that I am continuing my teaching career as an English teacher at Martin Luther King High School here in Philly. I spent the first 10 years of my public school teaching career as an elementary school teacher, spending most of that time as a 6th grade teacher. I have a personal conviction about my teaching at the elementary level in public schools. I set aside my convictions to experience high school.

As the teens and I were making our acquaintances this week, I was curious to know whether or not I was their first Black male teacher. More hands went up in each class than I thought. I don't know why I was surprised. 2% of public school teachers nationwide are Black men. In Philly, it's around 4%. Well, now they have two of us in 9th grade. While we're not a panacea, we bring a different perspective and experience set.

Here's to an adventurous school year! Every teaching and learning experience should be an adventure!

From Kelly to King

After spending ten years as a teacher at John B. Kelly Elementary School, I made the very difficult decision to leave. The decision to site-select out was just as hard for me to do as it was for me to articulate and for many of the Kelly community (and family and friends who know me best) to accept. I am looking forward to reuniting with some of my former students and to the new experiences that teaching at Martin Luther King High School will bring.

Words cannot express my gratitude to my first principal, Dr. Hackman, for taking a chance on a brother. I remember sitting before a panel of educators, who would later become my colleagues, and in front of Dr. Hackman while fielding questions about curriculum and discipline. I remember saying, "Listen, I don't know the curriculum, but I do know discipline. You teach me the curriculum because I have the discipline!" (I think I lived up to that, lol) I remember driving back to work in West Philly from that interview in Germantown and receiving a call that John B. Kelly wanted me, the next day. Ha! Nice! I remember being excited while also informing the administrator on the other end that I was honored, but felt it necessary to give my current job two weeks. She understood. That didn't stop me from going back to Kelly the next day to retrieve curriculum materials and previewing them during those next two weeks. While there, I took a little tour, and peeked my head into the classroom of the teacher who would be my partner teacher for nearly the next decade (with whom I worked until the end) and into room 105. 105, where there sat about 30 or so 6th graders; a group that would be my new homeroom. I remember a young lady asking, "Is he our new teacher?" "Yes," was the response from the Administrative Liaison. "Yes, and we're going to have a great year, aren't we," was the response from the new teacher. We did.

One of the students with whom I worked that school year, would keep in contact with me over the years. He'd come to visit us at Kelly. We'd see each other in the neighborhood every now and then. That same young man who was a student my first year at Kelly would be a colleague during my last year at Kelly. Mr. Maurice! What are the odds? Times sure changed from year 1 to year 10. {insert heavy sigh *here*}. Maybe I'll share those changing times in another post.

To the district principal who recommended me to Dr. Hackman back then, thank you! You also took a chance on me, knowing that your reputation was on the line, but fully confident that this match would work. You know who you are :-)

I've formed many bonds and relationships that I will not soon forget! The rapport that I have with the kids, my old kids, their families, my colleagues, and the community are priceless! These bonds were the constant in times of uncertainty. These and the 'feel-good' moments that I haven't tweeted, the tears shed for the kids that I've not shared with the world, the prayers I've prayed, the heart-felt words over the years from parents, former students, my colleagues, and from people I didn't even know were watching, they all are a part of the fabric of the me that King is getting. At King, I'm looking forward to learning and to growing as an educator! I'm looking forward to making a positive impact wherever I can! I'm looking forward to...wait...that's it! I'm looking forward.

Here's to the next decade in education; rooted in Kelly, continuing at King, and forward.

Dinner chat with my aunt and retired teacher

Tonight members of our family got together to send off my cousin who will be moving down South. My cousin has been such an ardent force in the elevation of the conversation and perception of our young brothers of color, our Young Kings. A mother of two sons and an aunt, cousin, and mother-figure to many, her love, generosity and advocacy for young Black men and boys is unmatched! So tonight, it was her night! I'll miss her in this area, dearly, but I'm confident she'll make great strides and have a positive impact on our young kings wherever she goes!

Her mother, my aunt, is a retired Philadelphia public school teacher. To say she's "retired" is certainly a misnomer, as she finds areas, children, organizations, and just people in general, with whom she'll work; all in the name of teaching, learning, and advocacy! I've heard it said that when teachers get together it really is quite the experience. Where's the lie?

Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I love to sit and learn under more experienced (and caring, loving, and beautiful) 'others'. My aunt is certainly one. As we sat and talked over her house salad and sweet potato and my parmesan herb crusted chicken and mashed potatoes, one line of the conversation resonated with me.

"They've got to love our children! If they don't, it won't work!"

This came up as our conversation oscillated between newer, younger teachers entering the profession, principals who are about the same age, the relationships we form with our respective students, and the importance of family and community engagement.

We salute the new teachers entering the classroom. We urge all principals to be teachers. Let that be the very essence of who you are. In September, we'll welcome our students back to school! And we look forward to working with the parents, families, and communities of which we're a part!

Academic excellence at church

I often express the pride that I have for students I taught in the public school system, here in Philly. Let me take the time to express my great pride in students I have not taught, but who I've watched grow into phenomenal young men and women, the youth of the Christ Haven Church here in Philly!

Tonight, our scholarship committee celebrated the academic achievements of our youth both verbally and tangibly, $$. Love is an action word and that love was on full display earlier this evening! Let me get preachy for a sec. I believe that we can talk about our great God, but that we should also demonstrate such in our work! The kids' GPAs, their scholastic recognitions, their attendance records, man, I couldn't be prouder! Saturday, there was a trunk party for one young lady headed off to school while simultaneously, at another location, a surprise cook-out for another young lady who graduated with her Masters in Art Ed with a focus on special populations. Listen!! This is what excellence looks like!

I celebrate these kids and young men and women! My heart has been overjoyed all evening! Whatever we do, let's do it with a spirit of excellence!

This concept transcends any religious belief or none at all! If you're going to do something, do it and do it well! My world view is that of a Christian. So, whatever I do, I want it to be pleasing in His sight! The many youth recognized tonight did well! All the best to those headed to college, high school, middle school, or moving up! God bless you! Hit me up whenever you need to! My love for you is strong, you already know! ✊🏾🖤💯

~Unk