My two cents (Week of May 17, 2021)

For each school day of the 2020-21 school year, I will be writing two sentences to capture some of the impressions, feelings, experiences, or thoughts I had that day. This is the 31st post in the series.

Monday (May 17)
In 8th period, we shared a cool moment of connection when a student, who is remote but was in school for one day, visited the smears I created in the hallway which represent our figurative children. It’s crazy to think about the levels I’ve gone to to engage my students this year.

Tuesday (May 18)
One student who is in person (but still learning remotely because all of our classes are on Zoom), set up his camera and took a shot with a paper ball at the garbage can — he made it on the 2nd try. I did 360 degree jumping jacks in 9th period because of the all the positive energy I received.

Wednesday (May 19)
Myself along with six other staff members went to visit the grave of Malcolm X after school at Ferncliff Cemetery. After reading his autobiography with them in February, paying homage to him on his birthday was powerful; it created a unique moment of community amongst our team as well as the others who were present at Ferncliff.

Thursday (May 20)
I felt sadness reflecting on my students’ “Your Year in Math Class” drawings. So many of them struggled this year; their hardships were illustrated in lots of different ways.

Friday (May 21)
As we explored microaggressions as a staff, there was a charged moment of open conflict at the racial and social justice workshop this afternoon. It was a moment of becoming for our school community that needed to happen.

bp