A quick recap of the second quarter:
I haven’t written in a while. A majority of my time's been split between throwing myself completely into my work and disassociating on the weekends with anything but academics, so I apologize it's taken this long to update you all.
An update on the academy—teachers are dropping like flies. Extreme behaviors from about 20-40 students have some classrooms completely unteachable. With a lack of permanent exclusions, students who want to learn are caught up in the undercurrent of kids barging into classrooms throwing water, flipping chairs, getting in the faces of teachers, and telling off administration when they come to get them. Students who are supposed to be in internal exclusion are sneaking out and running down the hallways shouting into classrooms. Students are vaping at school and coming intoxicated. It’s actually quite sad seeing the amount of students who do not believe themselves worthy to be a part of the school.
The overall culture of British schools can be summed up in three words: order, respect, and silence. So what happens when you create a curriculum that is dependent on those three things to be successful and your demographic is missing the mark? Teachers cannot teach and students cannot learn. About two-thirds of the demographic of students are projected to join the workforce—interested in car mechanics, trades work, or some other job that requires more practical skill than book smarts. They come from feisty hardworking families who will fight for them even if they are in the wrong. A majority of our students could really benefit from a more hands-on approach to learning but currently, that is not present in our curriculum. This has been an enormous adjustment coming from America where our job as teachers is to adjust curriculum and instruction to engage our students. While I cannot adjust the curriculum, I have been taking so steps to create a more inviting space in my classroom.
Incorporating joy
In the chaos that this school can be, I have committed to my classroom and to incorporating joy into my practice for my students’ and my own sakes. I’ve come to terms with the fact that American schools are filled with happier and more engaged students and that there must be a reason for that. There is science behind project-based learning and student-led projects that make them successful. Learning in America has shifted towards high engagement and student-led exploration and problem-solving and I may not be able to introduce my own curriculum, but I do want to introduce more student agency to my classroom and to the school community as a whole.
Simple ways I’ve incorporated joy and humanity into my classroom:
Having an icebreaker question for them to answer during register in place of just saying “here”
Playing would you rather in the last 5 minutes of class if we’ve gotten through the entire lesson.
Giving tasks to specific students who have a hard time being trusted by teachers (helps them feel needed and helpful in the classroom)
Sharing stories or things about myself for them to know that I am also a human and have emotions and a life
Apologizing when I lose my ish and owning up to my mistakes in the classroom if they happen
I’m in the process of organizing and proposing various clubs and programs around the school so I will update you more if and when these come to pass. Fingers crossed! With the quick turnover of staff, I do find it very important that those staff members staying are thinking ahead for students’ sake so my hopes would be for sustainable programs that students can take charge of and make their own.
For myself, I started a creative writing club where students come to my room every other week during their lunch period and do a writing activity or game with us. I’ve been incentivizing with hot cocoa, but so far it's been a huge mood changer for a very tired teacher who desperately needed positive interactions with students. Hopefully, this will continue to be a hit in the upcoming new year!