Waiting for tomorrow | March 12, 2020, Our last day in school...

Thursday, March 12, 2020

We were on an "A" Day schedule, which means I had English classes all day. Lately we had been reading Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. I hadn't intended on teaching this novel, but when many of my students told me they hadn't read or heard of it, I didn't believe we had any other choice.

During lunch that day, a few students came to the room to just sit, chat, and chill as many of them are wont to do on occasion. One young brotha, who also was 5th grader in my class years earlier, asked if I had heard that the NBA canceled the previous night's game and subsequently the season. I had. The conversation was normal, like we'd have it again tomorrow.

During that same block of time, my prep/lunch, a colleague asked if I thought the schools would shut down in Philadelphia. I remember smirking and saying "no" because I didn't feel like they cared enough about us in the inner city. Anyway, I'd see her tomorrow and we'd chit chat again.

Then 4th period came and went. Some students worked. Others chose to engage in tasks they deemed much more important than anything I could ever assign. *cough* phones *cough*

The day ended uneventfully. I'd see them tomorrow. I left for the day. Shoot. My coffee was on my desk. I didn't feel like getting rid of it. It's cool. It ain't hurting nobody. I'd dispose of it tomorrow.

Friday, March 12, 2021

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N****

⚠️This post contains language that some may find offensive and that others just can't use at all.⚠️

The screenshot below is from an episode of Family Matters, "Fight the Good Fight" (S2, E20). I showed this episode in our communications class. The purpose was two-fold. One, we had a discussion about the word you see spay-painted on Laura's locker. The students expressed their opinions in a podcast episode we recorded on the use of that word and the variant spelling of its repurposed version, nigga. The second purpose was to stir up their emotions for elevator-pitch style speeches they will give in the weeks to come. Right now the assignment is called, Drafts of Injustice. The focus will eventually be on solutions, Ujima, if you please.

The following occurred in our chat just as Laura closed her locker. 

11:14:16 From Ja'Lae Wyatt to Everyone : *Gasp*

11:14:53 From Dr. Stephen R. Flemming to Everyone : yup

11:15:05 From Shane Carter to Everyone : been there

11:15:34 From Ja'Lae Wyatt to Everyone : Shane I gotta question for you when the show end

11:15:36 From Jazmyn Ervin to Everyone : this is the sad truth bc you can't escape racism. America is one big mixing pot of hatred for no reason.

11:16:15 From Shane Carter to Everyone : is it what I mean by “been there”? [Context: this student was called a n*gger by a white competitor]

11:17:05 From Ja'Lae Wyatt to Everyone : No but was about that wrestling match you told us about. Did you win?

11:17:13 From Jazmyn Ervin to Everyone : oh I hate hearing people voices crack when they're about to cry

11:18:27 From Kriya to Everyone : sir I have to go  now

11:18:37 From Ja'Lae Wyatt to Everyone : I remember you said that comment threw you off. But you said you kept going so....you did win mentally. plus you showed sportsmanship

11:18:44 From Dr. Stephen R. Flemming to Everyone : sure thing @Kriya

11:18:46 From Ja'Lae Wyatt to Everyone : that was for shane

11:19:17 From Shane Carter to Everyone : Yeah, it pissed me off so bad. But I kept control and showed him who exactly he was dealing with. next time he said he was sorry for what he said.

11:20:15 From Ja'Lae Wyatt to Everyone : thats wassup..I was thinking about that story every since you said it. I even told my mom and sister they said the same thing I said

11:21:29 From Shane Carter to Everyone : well I very much honored Ja’Lae

11:21:33 From Dr. Stephen R. Flemming to Everyone : the chat box today!!

11:21:34 From Jazmyn Ervin to Everyone : They're scared bc their ancestors done things that are unbelievable

Advocating for Social Justice through Script-Writing

Here's the link to my piece in English Journal, a publication of the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE).

"Empathy is Needed in Education"

"For the first time ever, the public schools in Philadelphia began this school year 100% online, neck-deep in a global pandemic; in the midst of more publicized occurrences of racial injustice and political upheaval. We all again juxtaposed the reality of America’s dual system of justice when we witnessed the negligible presence of law enforcement..."[Link to my piece published in the Southwest Globe Times]

5 Black English teachers walk into a Zoom

I know the title suggests the beginning of some joke. Nope. Sorry to disappoint. 😊But five Black English teachers did engage in a discussion this past week that ultimately yielded the infographic below. High noon on Wednesdays at Martin Luther King High School, the English department meets for CPT*. The CPT was scheduled for some MTSS** which does not include students who already have an IEP***. 😏

The MTSS portion was canceled just as the meeting began. The professionals we are, we decided to talk pedagogy amongst ourselves, especially given the compounded challenges of teaching 100% online, in a global pandemic, and in the midst of increased visualization of racial injustice and political upheaval. What is shown on the infographic are the quick notes and thoughts of five Black English teachers' impromptu conversation, which I should note, lasted longer than our CPT's allotted time. As we talked, we wanted to frame the solutions around being conscientious and culturally responsive. We also wanted to share some of what we discuss all the time with our other colleagues around the school.

Linked Article: Strategies for implementing online culturally responsive teaching online

Shout out to the team at King! This post may be updated with names, if my colleagues wish to be identified. Check back.

Angela Crawford

Tareen Coston

For the benefit of anyone outside of "edunyms"

*Common Planning Time

**Multi-Tiered System of Supports

***Individualized Education Program

What can we expect from a Biden Department of Education?

I don't know. That's the tweet...I mean *post.

No, seriously, the times are different, as we all know and are reminded of daily. Because of the times, teaching and learning requires different--whatever that may look like. In Philly, it could mean nixing the STAR tests and CRQs (district-mandated constructed response questions). At the national level, it could start with a moratorium on national standardized tests and encouraging governments at the state level to do the same with their tests. It could continue with historical investments in schools' infrastructure. It could be enhanced with a national recognition of Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, forgiving teachers' student loans, and so much more.

Ambitious? Maybe. Perhaps not as ambitious as having Dr. Leslie Fenwick as the Secretary, but I digress. Even if it is ambitious, so what? Our children don't deserve historical investments and an ambitious agenda?

From what I can tell so far, ambition doesn't seem to be the reason why President Biden selected these two individuals to lead the department. They appear to be the safe choice, even though the local NAACP has something to say about Cindy Marten.

We'll see. 

Secretary of Education nominee Dr. Miguel Cardona is a public school educator who understands the value and importance of public education.

He will use his expertise to get our nation's schools through this pandemic and beyond. pic.twitter.com/khfgCmid6G

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 30, 2020

 

A Sunday School's teacher reflection

I am that teacher, again. 2021 means that I've been a teacher of Christian Education for 26 years, 23 of which have been in Sunday School. Growing up in church sometimes means that by the time you're 30, you've been actively working and volunteering in ministry for 25 of those years. lol No regrets.

Two events in December and one in January are the catalysts for this reflection. In December, I attended a drive-by celebration for a young lady who graduated from Penn State with her degree in education!! Wooo Hoooo!!!!! She's coming to Philly schools! The next weekend, I attended the virtual baby shower of another young lady, who with her husband, are expecting their second child!! Woooo Hoooo!!!

Recently, I helped lead a chat with a group of adolescents and teens at the church I attend and grew up in. Note: We were socially distant and masked unless speaking at that moment. The president of the youth ministry is a graduate student.

I was privileged to have all of these young ladies as students in my Sunday School class up until they left, wait for it, kindergarten. Whoa! I feel myself getting younger and younger as the years go by. (Let me be great...lol) Now they're all grown up, taking on their 20s with strength and grace! Congratulations to all of them and their respective families! I pray and wish nothing but heaven's best, this side of glory, as they continue on their life journey!