In honor of 6/6/06, I meant to write about I.S. 666. This didn’t happen, though, because I was tired and busy. Lately, I avoid the topic anyway, as I know my days there are winding down. In fact, there are only 14 left. Additionally, nothing out of the ordinary has demanded I write. So the school has no working discipline plan and provides students with an inferior education? This dysfunction is sadly banal. Why write about it more?
At times, it baffles me that I have almost fulfilled a year-long commitment at a school that terrified me the first year. I never thought I’d survive this experience! It makes me feel strong, unfathomably stronger than the naive teacher I started as. It also makes me feel jaded. I will never be the green teacher again. My views on education and society have been challenged daily and I’ve had to change.
As much as I recognize how appalling educational inequity is in this country, I will not stay at I.S. 666, one of the failing schools most in need of good teachers, because I feel the administration and management of the school - of most public schools in NYC - work to perpetuate problems in our society and disempower educators.
Call me selfish, but I want to work where real teaching (not babysitting, not breaking up fights) is supported, demanded, and possible.
My friend April recently asked if I’d be willing to answer questions for a friend contemplating Teach for America. I applied and got accepted to this program in January 2005. It seemed like a great way to move to NYC, teach for two years, and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. The problem was that despite a promised consideration of my regional preferences, I was placed in the Bronx, my last choice. I was told I couldn’t even apply for jobs where I wanted to live and work, so I dropped out of Teach for America and decided to get a job on my own.
In the end, I got a job teaching English in Harlem at a school where many Teach for America and NYC Teaching Fellows are placed. I don’t know if I’d do it all again if I could go back a year, knowing what lay ahead. I do know that I’ve never regretted moving to New York. Not on the worst day of subbing. Not when I come home with a headache, sore feet, and torn conscience.
Tips for April’s friend and any other teacher considering urban public schools:
1. Educational inequity is a disgusting problem. Be prepared to encounter sixteen-year-old seventh graders who can’t read or add. Be prepared to possibly follow (or pretend to follow) a curriculum that doesn’t address the needs of these students.
2. Secure everything. Students will steal and vandalize your stuff. Don’t walk around with an ipod at school. Don’t carry a lot of cash. Keep your cellphone close to you.
3. Have a life outside of teaching. Hang out with people removed from the occupation and your school. Otherwise, you risk personal drama creeping into the workplace, which is unpleasant and unprofessional.
4. Watch your health. Students are germy and often don’t seek medical attention. Wash your hands often!
5. Some students will do their best to scam any and every adult they can. It can take awhile to figure out who these kids are, so don’t let your guard down. Girls especially will prey on your sympathy and compassion. Don’t be too quick to believe anything a student says, particularly about another teacher.
6. Many administrators are quick to blame teachers for discipline problems or for not being _________ enough. In my case, I think the word in the blank was “authoritarian” or “intimidating” or “loud” or “street.” There’s only so much a teacher can do, though. You are who you are. Don’t beat yourself up for not being like everyone else. Good teachers don’t have to be mean, screaming dictators or drill sergeants. If someone tells you they do, look for another school.
7. Nothing worthwhile is easily attained. If you walk into a Harlem middle school in jeans and get a job, like I did, you probably don’t want the job. Let the red flags fly! A good teaching job will require a real interview and perhaps a demo lesson.
8. Another red flag: If you bring the student teaching portfolio you toiled over to show a principal during the interview and said principal screws up her face and scrutinizes a lesson on Antigone and gender roles and says, “Nice handwriting!”
9. Take every sick day you have. I’m still amazed when I’m out of school during the day and see people walking around peacefully in the city, being civil and calm. Call it a Mental Health Day and get out to run errands and revel in not being at school.
10. Most of the teachers and administrators at your school will focus on the students who are disruptive, destructive, and violent. Make it your mission to focus on the students who do their work, who don’t speak up, and who have needs that are not being communicated or met. These kids deserve your attention the most. These kids are ultimately why you teach.
Isn’t #10 a bit hypocritical coming from you. All you do is talk down about the school and the kids.
You need to seriously look at yourself.
Loser
The good doesn’t outweigh the bad at I.S. 666. This is a reality I’ve taken from the blog. I think so many people focus on the negative things that are written in this blog about school, but honestly they range from cynical/sarcastic/funny to concerned and sad. Some people can’t see complexities in this writing and that makes them losers…or at least people lacking critical thinking skills.
-Neel
neeeel, you said, “The good doesn’t outweigh the bad at I.S. 666″. i think you think you think so critically, but for real, you don’t know anything outside this blog. how critical can you be?
just because her own writting fails to depict her in a favorable light doesn’t mean amanda is trying to do some serious writting in this here blog. you have only to look at today’s entery to see that. entries like this are a dime a doezen, as are are rants from disenchanted teachers… something needs to change, and i’m guess it’s miss crabapple.
Amanda, you’re right, I.S 666 education is inferior, but it is because the school hires teachers like you. Change your profession. You were not born to be a teacher.You are a desgrace to society. Don’t waste your time. You will not get another teaching job. That is a promise.
Actually, she did.