Sit at a student's desk

Sit at a student's desk. See what they see. Take in the scene from their vantage point. If something needs to change and it's within your means and power, change it. It's the "little" things.

A Story to Tell, Part 1

My class and I pulled up very quickly to a second intersection this fall. At this 2nd yellow light, I feel the need to insert something fresh into the course. We received a little boost when we relocated to our current space. As a teacher who likes to keep his fingers on the pulse of my GenZers and monitor whether learning experiences are true to their respective names, learning and experiences, my challenge remains to keep up with Generation TikTok. "Trite" happens far more quickly than I remember it happening as a teacher even a few years ago.

Friday afternoon, I sat in my office contemplating a next move for Comm101 while also working on a little writing thingy to present. The heat in my office was on Hawaii, as one school police officer put it, so I relocated. I took my laptop and went to room 305, our classroom. While I needed to be somewhere less equator, I also needed to think.

I needed to be in the classroom.

In the "House" where our room is located, all was quiet, calm, and dare I say, relaxing, a slight contrast to how I was feeling earlier in the day. In the room, I kept the artificial lights off and let only the natural light in. I pulled up something relaxing on the SmartBoard. My colleague had a class of 11th graders next door. My other colleagues were engaged with their classes throughout the U-shaped House of classrooms. Lunches had long been over. This wing was on some learn and chill type stuff this afternoon.

As I sat and worked, one of my auntie-like colleagues passed by. As she passed, I yelled out because I hadn't seen her all day--possible, but atypical. We talked for a bit. She spoke of her experiences coming along in public school. I spoke of how my generation may have been the last to experience some of what she experienced in schools, particularly what teachers were allowed to do.

As we talked and compared notes, the elder with the younger, she mentioned the Black male teachers she had. I asked her what school she went to. She mentioned Barratt Junior High. We kept talking. Later, "By the way, were you there around the time Martin Luther King spoke there?" She lit up! Of course she was there and remembers it all very fondly! She began recalling how she and her classmates felt, where exactly she sat, and how some of the boys had to borrow ties from some closet or something. She remembers it all very vividly.

It was my turn to light up! I work with and am in the company of someone who was an 8th grade student at Barratt Junior High School when one of the most prolific of Black people came to speak with students in a Philly public school. Say less. "Would you mind coming to speak with my class?" Yes! <inserts something fresh for a couple of class sessions>

Short story.
Was chatting w older colleague.
Me, "Oh wht school did you go to?" "Barrett"
*chat some more*
"Were you there around the time MLK spoke?"
*beams*
"I was in 8th grade, X-row, 3rd seat."
✔Booked to come to Comm101 to chat with the class"
The end.

— Stephen R. Flemming, Ed.D. (@kellygrade6) November 5, 2021

I'm glad it was hot in my office

that my classroom was cooler

that she walked by

that I yelled out

that she came in

that we talked

that I asked

that she answered

that I asked another

that she answered another

that I asked yet another, again

that she consented to chatting with them

To be continued...

A Fresh Start in Room 305

I love it when something or some things just click in the classroom, wherever that classroom may be.

I began this school year teaching my dual-enrollment communications class in a computer lab. With help from a colleague, we took desks from an unused classroom and moved them to the lab for what I thought would be a perfect set-up for a mix of whole-class, independent learning, and voluntary cooperative learning group experiences. This particular lab is spacious, well-lit, and with some exceptions, generally unused. 

One angle of our previous space

From the rip, the students all but communicated that this wasn't it. It was cold. It was big (later translated non-intimate). Some of them lost focus early. I didn't connect it with the physical space until we moved to a different classroom.

Short story. Another colleague had to relocate suddenly for a week. I told him to take my space. Comm101, my class, relocated to a more traditional classroom space that week. We've been there ever since.

The space is smaller and more intimate. There's a window for natural light and fresh air.  I could go on and on about windows in the classroom, but I won't. That day felt like a fresh start and a chance for us to control-alt-delete. We had been in that room once or twice before, but this time felt different. I legit gave my little rah-rah mini-speech about expectations for academics and behavior as if it were the first day of school. My subconscious may have known this would be our space going forward. Towards the end of the week I put it to a vote. The consensus was to stay.

Today, a different student again asked me about this year's episodes for the podcast. In order to elicit a response that would likely reflect his thinking I replied, "But the energy wasn't there the last time. So..." His reply, "We're in a different room. The vibe is different." Say less. We finna run that jawn back!

More than the room, I think our relationship, the one between a teacher and his students, that ever-so-important teacher-student rapport and connection is also at play here. I don't want to make this a longer post, but...yeah. Relationships matter.

"Slap a Teacher" and a Gallimaufry of other Teacher Thoughts and Musings

10 thoughts.

In no particular order other than that's how they came to me.

1. Some of you know that last school year, during 100% remote teaching and learning, my class and I started a podcast.  Last year, a core group of students maintained a stable enthusiasm for our poddizy. This year, I think I am more excited about it than are my current students, so I thought to dial it back a bit and return to it in a few weeks or months. Then this...

Short story.
"Ard yall, gonna back off the podcast for now. Energy doesn't seem to be there for it rn"
*handS up*
"Wait, wait...but I like that jawn"
Teacher confused--very teenager-y.
The end. https://t.co/9yHgtKy2wY

— Stephen R. Flemming, Ed.D. (@kellygrade6) October 6, 2021

2. All standardized tests can hit the bricks as far as I'm concerned. I hated them before and now that I've been designated the testing coordinator, I really hate those exams. Going to do my job because I take my work seriously and it's a reflection of yours truly, but that don't mean that Keystone and *they whole generations can't hit the road, no bap!

There's something to be said of the times we're in when the FIRST FULL WEEK OF SCHOOL, upon returning from an educational experience NONE of us had ever undergone before, was dedicated to Keystone Testing. I mean, really! "We could have done them last spring, but chose the fall because of the pandemic." Be bold. Cancel. them. all. Forever and ever, Amen!!

3. One of the brothas with whom I've bonded since 9th grade (he's in 12th now) saw me carting crates of Keystone exams (thinking it was something else) to the IMC for make-ups. His words,

"***** he boutta teach the ***** out of this school!"

Don't ask me why that felt so good (minus the expletives) to hear.

4. Last night (Tuesday night) I thought I was sleeping into the weekend and was not going to wake up for work. What jolted me to reality was some thought I was having in my sleep about me not actually having worked a full week yet. I shared that with colleagues during Common Planning Time (CPT). That might cherry-on-top me looking everywhere for my phone (right next to me) and for a stack of papers I just had (right in front me) and me chatting with one of my APs with a pen in my regrowing curly top that I forgot about. What month is this?

5. Slap a teacher huh? Sure. You misunderstood the assignment!

When the slap a teacher challenge goes wrong #slapateacher pic.twitter.com/bDszg33OW1

— comedianwasalu 🇵🇸 (@comedianwasalu) October 1, 2021

6. I got excited a few times recently when a couple of the seniors stopped me to chat about what they were currently reading (Mildred Taylor's All the Days Past, All the Days to Come) or what they wanted to read (The Son of Neptune Rick Riordan, The Girl Who Could Fly Victoria Forester).

7. "Weirdo!" My new assigned name by a young lady who wanted to stay in "Corridor Class"😏as I stood there refusing to move from their huddle, listening in on their conversation, annoying the beelzebub out of that little crew. I must make one correction, however, it's *Dr. Weirdo, please and thank you. As you were...

8. I love teaching.

9. wya rn lmk hmu - bno? ard omw idc 

10. Young queen again brought up how she's had both me and another colleague 3 of her 4 years at MLK. As much as she *says she doesn't like that, don't believe a word out of her mouth. She's feeling our classes...or *puffs chest out*...both teachers.

Saying goodbye to "Bahal's," a Black-owned corner store

I'm not sure we fully appreciate all that corner stores mean to those of us who live or have lived in the hood. Even as teachers, if we're paying attention, we may notice their importance to our students as empirically evidenced by those little black bags. Every morning.

They're convenient. They're open. They offer variety. They're family. They're there, sometimes serving as the substitute for larger supermarkets. Some open super early (49th & Woodland), stay open later than others (Hook Road in Darby Township) and even 24-hours (Island Rd. & Woodland Ave). I've frequented and have lived in areas of Philly where there are none within reasonable walking distance--like--on the corner.😕 In other areas of the city you can quite literally find several corner stores within a block or two in one direction or another. Some are even directly across the street from another one.

There is one corner store that I've frequented for 24 years, Bahal's Food Market at 6th and Walnut in Darby, PA. I've tweeted about them in the past.

I've mentioned it before, but there's a Black-owned corner store in Darby, Delco. 6th & Walnut, 19023. "Bahal's" but everybody calls him "Baha". Been getting the Turkey/cheese on keiser for 25(?) years, easy.

— Stephen R. Flemming, Ed.D. (@kellygrade6) June 19, 2020

For 20 years, our church was at 5th & Walnut just down the street. That's how we all became acquainted. We all went to "Baha's."  During a visit this past week, Bah or Baha, as many of us affectionately called him, told me and another brother in the store that the store was being sold, that they were turning over the keys at 10am on Thursday.

Gut. Punch.

I posted about their departure on my personal family & friends socials where most of us know Bah. Our reactions tell you everything you need to know about what he, his wife, their family and corner store meant to us.

Today, I slid through one last time. It is unlikely that I'll make the short drive across the county line to support the new owners. I supported Bah, his wife and family because they're Black. This was a Black-owned corner store in Darby just outside of Southwest Philly.

I got my turkey on kaiser then left them my phone number. I told Mrs. Bah that I posted about their leaving on social media and that my fam and friends were not at all happy. She replied, "We're not at all happy either." Wow, plot twist. I had more questions. So they're not retiring--willingly? What happened? Is this a harbinger of things to come for Darby? I was surrounded by the students of Walnut Street Elementary School, as it was the after school rush, so I couldn't ask my questions. I have to wonder, how many of those students know that when they come for their after-school snacks on Thursday, Bah and his wife won't be there? 

Building Comm101: co-constructing our syllabus

For the past few years I've been on this kick of co-creating the course syllabus with my classes. With some general parameters, I solicit their ideas for texts, projects, relevant videos, and more.

Tuesday, 8/31 was the first day of school here in Philly. I made a general presentation* that included what they might expect based on the experience I had with my dual enrollment communications class (Comm101) last year. On Thursday, I asked the students to complete what I called a "Building Comm101" form using Google Forms. You'll read 2 of the 5 questions (in bold) I included in the survey. You will also read the responses of the students who chose to answer these two questions.

2. What ideas do you have for how this class should go?

smoothly
 
i like how the class is now
 
This class is on a college program, which means that us students will be treated like college students which gives us responsibilities and it's also an opportunity to get college grades for when we apply for or start college.
 
not alot of work to do
 
Not to much work.
 
I don't really have any idea because it's my first time having a class like this but if I must say I'd say for this class to have a good vibe no bad vibe because that throws me off and I will most likely to drop out which I don't want cause I like this class because of technology.
 
none comment
 
After seeing your presentation on Tuesday i would like if we have debate classes
easy and smooth, not a lot of work
 
i don't have specific ideas
 
I think this class will be very interactive and we’ll be doing a lot of debating
 
nothing really this class chilling
 
I don't know
 
I don’t have any for right now cause this is my first time being in this class

it should be short and fun

No homework

all about jobs

 

5. What, if anything, do you want me to know about you as a person/student?

nothing
 
Not sure what to say here yet but I'll let you know when there's something.
 
im shy
 
You know me😂🙃
 
I'm a very chill person but when I'm upset don't bother me I'm more likely to lash

out and I don't want that because I am trying to keep myself calm these days.

 
im nice somewhat
 
i like being involved, i like to be challenged a little

you already know me.
 
i tend to prefer working alone and staying to myself .
 
I know I am very intelligent, just some things need to be broken down a little bit more
 
I'm a chill person
 
I'm quiet
 
Nothing😭
 
i don't like to get pick on to answer a question unless i want to answer the question
 
I have anxiety and I prefer and work better alone
 
I dont like to speak.
 
nope
 
I'm mostly quiet and i only talk to people i really know

*Vulnerability Moment: With this presentation and other activities, I thought I planned enough for the 90-minute block. I hadn't. I made up for it on Thursday. There's also the challenge of taking what was a 100% remote teaching/learning course and redesigning it for an in-person experience. All will be well.

Additionally, you should know this is the only class that I teach. I asked for it. The rest of my day and week include the responsibilities of a School-Based Teacher Leader (SBTL) for English😁and Testing Coordinator😐I need to teach a class to re-center me.

My students talked redlining and crime

Their hearts ache.

My heart aches.

Collectively,

we ache.

Often.

Last fall, my class and I were still trying to define ourselves as a class and as high schoolers who podcast. Very early on we recorded an episode for "Behind the Eyes of Our Youth," our student-led and driven podcast. The episode was on redlining and whether those practices were and are the root causes of crime in our majority Black neighborhoods. They came up with the topic and explored the answers.

Take a listen.