I said "grade me" and they did

Final grades for the class had long since been entered and posted when I sent this out to my Comm101 students.

Here's what they had to say.

3. Explain why you'd give me and the course the grade you gave. Tell me what went well and how I can improve.

9 responses

You let us express ourselves and you give us the confidence we need to speak in the real world. You’re not judgmental and your honest, however you still do your job but you make it enjoyable.

we talk about topics and gets the class included

I don’t know

i gave both the course and you an A because both were awesome

Good person and teacher hence the class isn’t tense and that makes it a good class on a bad or good day... Keep it up.

Doc you’ve made this class one to remember and made me truly enjoy your class. I gave you a double A because you are an authentic person who truly loves his job and want to see us as people grow. It was your honesty and your tenacity that got you this grade. My only advise would be to grow your hair back because the classic 2014 flem when you had me in 5th grade at Kelly should have stayed in the past. I will truly miss you doc until we meet again. -Shane 

This course helps with a lot that will happen in everyday life and you are just really great teacher

I gave this grade because I enjoyed the course as well as your teaching methods. It was fun, interactive and I also learn and explored news things along the way.

You are very kind and it seems like it's not just a job for you it seems like you love what are doing.

"Flem got that drip on!" A reflection on my rockin' academic regalia at their graduation

I'm struggling to find the words to capture the meaning of what I experienced today. The words may come as I briefly describe what transpired.

Today Martin Luther King High School held commencement exercises for the class of 2021. I was one of the faculty members assigned to assist the fellas. We gathered in the music wing of our school. They had their robes on and I came back to the area with my academic regalia.

I didn't think that high school brothas paid attention to things like a "doc's robe" nor did I expect the reception that I received.

"OKAY Flem!!"

"Flem got that drip on!"

"Ayooo, how can I get one of THEM!?"

"the lay tho!"

"I'm tryna rock one-a-them jawns"

"Yeahhh Doc!!"

One went so far as to "compliment" me by saying I resembled Lord Farquaad from Shrek. Bro. I def was not insulted as it was a little cheezy and corny, but I laughed. So did ALL his homies and even my colleagues. I threatened to forget his name when the time came in the ceremony. 😂😂😂

What I'm struggling to wrap my head around is what it all meant. I'm thinking as I'm typing and may (may not) edit this part out.

Clearly, my guys were feeling this older young brotha in his different type of robe. I did explain what it was all about and how I came to wear it. They still were feeling it and some even said they wouldn't mind working just to be adorned in one. I'll take that at this age and stage.😉

Why, though? Why did they take interest and what, if anything, does it mean? Admiration? I don't know. I'm a little self conscious about stuff like that. It seems a little self-glorifying. Because we have a very transient student body, many of them don't even know me as intimately as others. Some just know me from rehearsals this week and by my calling their names to come on stage as we practiced. Was this week just enough to get to know the man in this robe? I want to say no, but I think real knows real when it sees it and real is how I try to be and keep it. (insert a little allergy in the eyes)

Whether it was admiration or just the robe, it was abundantly clear, and unexpected for me, they liked what they saw and wanted parts.

Congratulations to the intelligent and beautiful young ladies and to the intelligent and handsome young men of the class of 2021 here at Martin Luther King High School. Love you for real!

Setting the mood in the classroom

I've always believed that a classroom's ambience can make or break moods for the year, week, day, or class period. I believe in windows and fresh air and plants around the room. I believe in books, books, and more books* for students to enjoy--in class--no assignments attached--just because.

Throwback to the '19-'20 school year. Seems like a lifetime ago, I know. I had to resort to artificial plants because of the dynamics of the room. What I couldn't do with real plants, however, I made up for in the lighting and in music, all with input from the students.

Those overhead lights?

In September of that year one said, "Mr. Flemming, can you cut them lights off?"

From that point forward, those lights may have been on for a total of 20 times all year**.

They were replaced with a few lamps around the room and the natural light from the sun.

Music?

Imagine the YouTube clip below full screen on the SmartBoard as the students enter the room.

Then imagine running it back while we all worked.

The feedback from students and staff all but said we were on to something.

The mood was described as "calm", "peaceful" or "this makes me want to sleep"--code for "there's peace in this room." Most of the comments were unsolicited and often overheard.

How did I pivot the mood for remote instruction? Tbh, I didn't do it a lot. From time to time I would drop links that this into the chat then send the students out of class to come back in 10 or 15 minutes. I didn't do it every class session. Given the another opportunity, I know I'd do it more often.

What made me think of all of this at this moment in June, a week before school is done? I've been playing a lot of this mood music lately.

I've had to.

It's been quite the year.

*books = reading materials of all kinds, including menus, bus schedules, comics, magazines, etc

**year meaning September 2019 to March, 2020, of course