A Teacher's Perspective: Inside the Public Schools

[Craig]

For months, I have been looking for an opportunity to share what physically and mentally goes on inside a classroom. This may be the place. I won't (at least I'll try) get into a lot of philosophy, just the day to day stuff or, as they say in sports,"keeping it between the lines." I'll have to give some of my background and since I'm almost at the end of my career, I will bring you up to speed as to where I've been and the things that went on at those schools. This will be an ongoing process so get ready to ride with "Teacher Man! I will try to let you in on some of the things that really go on in the Public Schools, Monday through Friday, bell to bell! I will share a little bit about my training and I'll try to bring you along using my ears and eyes. Hopefully, you can feel, see and hear what I feel, see and hear because I will give it to you like/as it happens. And trust me, I need this discussion as much as anyone!

Coming to Memphis, Tennessee, in the early nineties, I had an opportunity to get certified in a program called 'Project Teach!" It was a collaborative program involving Memphis State( at that time!), LeMoyne-Owen College and Shelby State Community College. It gave a few minority students with bachelor degrees an opportunity to get certified in elementary education. I jumped at the opportunity since working for temp services throughout this city was not what I considered my cup of tea. I also felt I could really give back to the students. I knew it was a great opportunity. Not that it meant anything but my father was an educator and so was my mother. So I thought I could do this. I was nearly 40 at the time and I had never given any real thought about making teaching a career. I had taught several months with an emergency credential in South Central Los Angeles and I thought it couldn't be any worse than that. And at least with this program I could get some valuable and necessary training to really help kids learn and be successful. So I took advantage of the opportunity.

My brief experience in Los Angeles was at Bethune Junior High on 78th and Broadway. It was in the middle of a strong Crip gang presence and there was beginning to be an East Los Angeles' hispanic growth spurt with gang issues too. Most of my students were Hispanic and Black. Many of the Hispanic students couldn't speak English well or at least they played like it. Many were new arrivals to the US and the LA community and, by law, all children have the right to attend public schools in America. I was teaching Algebra and was sharing a room with a white guy. I had scored high on the CBEST teaching aptitude test in all areas and particularly math so since they needed math teachers, I got hired. You see I had received a strong math training while in the public schools of East St. Louis so I knew I could do this. I didn't have any classroom management skills but thought I could handle the students since I was raised in East St. Louis and had survived the military. I had never had any education courses so I wasn't prepared for what I was about to deal with. It was a trip! Students wouldn't listen!! They would throw erasers!! Uniforms were whatever! At that time most students wore their colors.

One incident I remember was with Javier, a Latino kid. I spotted him tagging a wall and I shouted "stop"! He bolted and my instinct told me to go after him. He jumped the fence and boy was I embarassed. I thought I was doing what teachers are supposed to do. Right! I was told by a more experienced teacher to never chase after a student. That was that! They brought him back into the school and, subsequently, back into the room. Before the semester was over, I think he quit coming. Another memorable situation happened one day with a young Black student. He was really a good guy if/when he came to school but one day he dropped some weed after showing me a bankroll of money. He was affiliated with the Crips but that didn't bother me. Most were affiliated with some organization. When he dropped the money and the weed, he quickly picked it up and ran. Again, I ran after him but this time I stopped at the office. He left the building and eventually returned. I don't think much happened to him in terms of consequences. We laughed as a matter of fact about the money and the drug situation. He quit coming to class too, I think!

I lasted at Bethune until that Spring. It was daily chaos and confusion for me. They had several dances. The students got a snack break about 10:00am in the yard which was surrounded by fence. It reminded me of a penitentiary yard. Snacks were given and the students had an oppportunity to socialize and plan! The Principal was a Black lady (cute) and seemed rather under the radar. I dealt with her a few times because I had taken a lot of days off! (smile) I enjoyed teaching but the rigors day-to-day were rough. One day the white guy I was sharing a room with got pissed at me for some reason. I told him the room was the kids, not ours. It lead to more stress. He was very territorial while I was just there trying to help the students learn some algebra. Anyway, by the Spring I had found a job in the defense industry. I'll stop here for now. Next, we'll head to Memphis!(smile) Boy do I have stories to tell about this experience.

[Craig]

I hope I can do just that, be as raw as I can. I'll try my best to describe the feelings I have/had to the feelings the kids have/had and I ain't trying to be politically correct. The Morehouse College Cum Laude and University of Mississippi "Who's Who?" educational background side is cool but I have a East St. Louis ghetto-ass side of me that I love! I will cuss and kick some ass(smile)! So readers don't be surprised or "hate" when I talk like that! It may allow/reveal some truth to really tell it like it 'tis! I'll get back with you!

Let me see! Where did leave off? Oh, I remember! My wife and I were headed to Memphis. We both had family in the midwest and the southeast. We were excited to be leaving Los Angeles and had hopes of getting closer to relatives and frends. Change would be good. But what would I be able to do? My wife was with the airlines. She was able to transfer to Atlanta immediately. She commuted to Memphis from ATL. My education would give me an advantage, I thought, in these parts so I was very excited. After being in Memphis for a few months, I was having a tough time finding meaningful employment. I worked at several factories for a temp agency and was getting really frustrated. I was either over qualified or not interested. One day my wife was jogging and she found herself talking to one of her old school teachers. How ironic? The former teacher was currently working with the school board in a leadership capacity and had mentioned to my wife that Memphis City Schools was starting an educational collaborative with Lemoyne-Owen College, Memphis State (now U. of Memphis), and Shelby State Community College (the local junior college). The collaborative's purpose would be to expedite the certification process of African-American men and women who already had their bachelor degrees in any subject. This program would afford them the opportunity to get certified in elementary education. She told her about my background and gave her the information for me to check into. I was well qualified> I looked into it and was accepted along with about a dozen other men and women to participate in the program. I was really excited! This would be a great opportunity to give back and help urban students, particularly, those at the elementary level. I had never really even given teaching a real thought as a career but my few months teaching in Los Angeles made me think about it. If I could learn some classroom management techniques, some instructional skills, some theories and history of education, then maybe, just maybe, I could do this and be effective. I knew it would be a challenge but I felt blessed and excited to have this opportunity. You see my father was an educator for 30 plus years in East St. Louis, where I had been raised. So was my mother! She had taught computer skills and programming at the college level. I knew I could do this with the proper training. It was in my genes. I had the desire, the drive and the heart! I had finally found my calling! The feelings were joy and overwhelming gratitude. I was excited to the umpteenth power! (smile) Let the process begin!

Hopefully, as I share how I felt early on in the profession and how I feel now, I can regain some of the excitement and joy. After nearly 20 years I see a shift. I see so many changes in the profession. I try to keep a positive attitude. I am the eternal optimist. But I am also a realist. I hope in sharing my journey I can help other teachers and/or students. I also hope I can keep my focus and remember my mission. I don't just want to teach. I want to have an impact on students' lives in a positive manner but sometimes I wonder am I really doing any good? Am I impacting the students in a positive way or am I a becoming a part of the problems we have in the system. I don't want to be a part of the problem. Is the process/institution working? Is the public education system really working? Hopefully, I can recieve some input as I share my side. I want to be a part of the solutin, not the problem.

Excited about having an opportunity to teach, I was attending classes at LeMoyne-Owen College, Shelby State and the University of Memphis. I was hyped! I learned alot about pedagogy, various teaching methodologies and classroom management. We were taught the so-called "right ways" to teach reading, math, social studies, science, etc. I learned about discipline, curricullum standards, assessment, the self-fulfilling prophecy, etc. We even took a course on teaching the exceptional/special education students. At the University of Memphis I took a course on children's health issues which I felt was really interesting. It made me aware of the problems many of our students face, from drug addictions to coming from homes of drug addiction to gang influences. The course work took two semesters of full-time study. I did quite well! I kept an A-average! I believe we earned about 30 hours to recieve our elementary certification. We also had to do student teaching at both a city and a county school. This is where the fun began. This was the real nitty-gritty, so-to-speak. My city student teaching experience was at an elementary school in North Memphis. It was considered a "Title I" school! I'm not real sure what that means but that is what it is! The school was 100% African American and had a high percentage of special needs students. The socio-economic status of the population was quite obvious. The students came from families and households at or below the poverty level. But they appeared to be well loved. I was student teaching in a 5th grade English class. The kids were kids!! They seemed bored to death on a daily basis but since there were two adults in the room, we were able to teach and control them better. The operable word is "control"! The teacher gave them instruction and I assisted, as much I could with the work and classroom management. I believe the class room had over 30 kids and the majority of the students were below average in test score data.

One incident stands out above all others while I was there. The classroom had a coat rack in the back where many students would hang their back packs and coats. Often the students would have to use the restroom. In elementary schools there are specific times when this is allowed or you have to walk them individually. This one particular day a young man needed to go to the restroom but for some reason he was not allowed. He kept disturbing the class! The class' teacher made him go to the cloak room. He complied! o problem!! We went on with the other students' lesson! He had been in the room for about a half hour when we started to smell something. We went back to check! We realized the young man had used the restroom and had wiped himself with the scarves of other students. He appeared to have no shame! The classroom and the whole 2nd floor was smelling. The young man had no shame and was glad to face the consequences. In my judgment, we should have let him go to the restroom when he asked but I was the assistant and was brand new at this stuff! I was following the cue of the teacher. In hindsight, shouldn't have! Never-the-less, I learned a valuable lesson.

There were many other incidents like this during my 6 week stay. Many weren't as serious but they were all new to me. Student teaching was quite the wake-up! The students learned as much as they could under the circumstances. The school seemed crowded and real loud. Somelearning was takingplace but a lot of disciplinary problems seemed to make it hard to teach most days. The school reminded me of a young folk warehouse, a jail or an orphanage. The school was filled with young Black, energetic and loud children all over the place. It had bells ringing reminding them when to move and when not to move. There were adults with whistles and paddles and stern faces to remind the students who was running the asylum. It was a bit depressing!! Many of the young men and women received corporal punishment. It was administered often, disproportionately to the young men by the assistant principal, who was male. He stayed busy! I noticed paddling didn't help much but it did remove/diffuse immediate problems. It appeared to give teachers some instant relief. Overall, the experience was good but I was glad when it was over! We did recieve a little break because of the great ice storm of Memphis! It made by time go by much quicker. Thank God! To be continued!

After sharing my last time, I gave some thought to how I felt about the situation that led to the young man using the restroom in the coat room. I felt sad that the young man had to use the trash can and wipe with others' clothes. I felt shameful about not taking him to the restroom. I probably could have but I was following the cue of the teacher. She sent him in there. I didn't say anything because that's what was done to me when I was growing up. I felt sad and shame about being a part of a situation that would even have this happen. These types of events happen on a daily basis, I'm sure. The principal was perceived to be a disciplinarian. I remember her as being a firm and mean looking Black female. The assistant principal was a Black male who used the paddle alot. There is so much confusion, shame and anger going on in the school houses that it becomes mentally draining. I needed to drop this off before I move on. I felt that the people in charge of these places called "schools" are as lost as the students. I'll continue later with some more thoughts before I go on to my next stop, a county school that was primarily Caucasian. Our schools appears to be a place where our young men and women are being subjected to the values and principles of a much larger society. Is it working? I'm not sure at all anymore. When students have to beg to use the restroom. When students have to beg to get some water. When students sleep all day and are too tired to stay awake. When the peer pressure is the dominant learning piece. I'm not sure anymore!

In October, I applied to a program, New Leaders for New Schools. This was my third time. Each of the last two times I got to the first round of interviews. The first time I didn't but I did recieve an e-mail message saying thanks for my interest. The first time I applied I had dreads and an earring. Enough said! (smile) This last time I felt I had a better chance. I took the earring out and as you know my dreads are gone. It didn't work! I may have been too old or too honest. But I tried!! The first time I was interviewed by an Asian guy and a Caucasian guy. It was a long process and I thought I had done well. Guess not! This second time I was interviewed by a Black, middle-aged woman and another Caucasian guy. Again, it was a long process and I thought I had done good. Again, I guess I wasn't what they wanted. I have multiple degrees, 17 years in experience and, most importantly, the passion to lead. But!!! Therefore, I have decided that my higher power wants me to do something different. This must be it! It must be meant for me to tell the truth about what is happening in these buildings we call public schools.

New Leaders for New Schools is without a doubt, a business. Public education has changed, drastically, since "See Dick Run!" It isn't the same!! Corporate America has decided, in my judgment, to enter into the business of educating our children. Corporate America has sucessfully entered into the correctional business so I guess they have decided they can be successful running the field of education. Why not? Our public has failed. This will be ongoing so I'm sure I'll share more of my thoughts, feelings and judgments about many, many, things. Thanks for this forum!! I'm in!!

I am famiiar with the invisible curriculum. My grad school professor was a brother at Ole Miss with his doctorate and real heavy cat. He was challenged weekly by the white students and he would use data and stuff like this to shut them down. This is excellent stuff. I believe I am on the right path now! (smile) My next stop will be my student teaching experience at a predominantly white county school. It was a different experience in the county but things were about the same there, At the time the demographics was different when it comes to teachers and students but the intent was about the same. I'll continue to explain as I process some things.

Thank God! Schools are closed for two weeks so that we can regroup, administration, teachers, and students. I have to share what happened to me this week or I may forget. I doubt it! (smile) Let me preface this entry by saying, for the most part, teaching is an exciting, rewarding and never boring profession.

This past week, I was giving my semester exams to all of my classes. To be honest it gives me an opportunity to assess where the students are and it also prepares some students for college because most college and university classes give mid term and final exams. I had made several exams to assess the basic French knowledge of my students. I was allowing them to use their books and notes but didn't want a whole lot of talking. It was an idependent exercise, not a group activity. Enough said! I passed it out to this class and was monitoring them when I notices many didn't have a clue about my instrucitons. They weren't taking me serious. I calmly walked over to one student and got his paper. I shared with the other students, as I ripped it up, that "this is what I do to those who don't take this serious!" The student immediately called me a "Hoe-Ass Nigger" and a "Bitch-Ass Nigger"! I kept my calm as he left the classroom in anger. He left his coat so I knew he would have to come back. Meantime, I used the incident as a teaching opportunity. I shared with the remainder of the class that I am ot going to be too many more "Bitch Ass Niggers" or "Hoe Ass Niggers!" They heard me! I went in the hall and addressed the young man who had shown back up. He heard me too! I reminded the students that they wouldn't call me that in the parking lot or at WalMart or Krogers. There would be more serious consequences. The student apologized and we laughed!

Another situation that took place this week was with a young female student. It was in academic counseling class (study hall)! I noticed that she and this young man were always talking and sitting by each other. I asked her if that was her boyfriend. He smiled and she said, "I'm just trying to get me some dick!" I was caught off guard by her comment but again, knowing the culture of these kids, simply used it as a teaching moment. I told her she shouldn't talk like that and told the young man to be careful because it is dangerous out here. He got my point!

These are just two of my most recent incidents. They occur daily and often overshadow the purpose of why students should be coming to school. I will continue to elaborate but I had to share these two incidents. More will be revealed.

My Commercial Appeal Post today "I am a MCS teacher and see students like Cherry on a daily basis. I try my hardest to find ways for them to succeed, knowing their circumstances are not the best. I have many who are coming from a subculture that is totally polar to academia. They come from dysfunctional homes and families. Many young female students themselves have children. Many students are on/sell drugs. They are in gangs and caught in a system of poverty and ignorance. Yet, with a decent education they can still have some hope.

This week I was called a "Hoe A-- Ni----" and a "Bi--- A-- Ni----" by a male student who I was calling out for cheating. The situation didn't go beyond the classroom because, in most cases, if it does, nothing worthwhile is done. Okay, he may get suspended. Big deal! I choose to talk to my students.

These situations happen daily where I have to redraw the lines so students have a chance. Many people in power like Dr. Cash and his administration need more than standardized test scores and money to fix our problems. The Bureaucrats and politicians don't have a clue! Neither do the masses! What teachers and students deal with on a daily basis is like an educational/social Vietnam or Afghanistan. It is becoming a wasteland for the hopeless. We are at war and, I judge, the public schools and our communities are losing if it continues the way it is going.

The obstacles of peer pressure, poverty, crime, drugs, gangs and ignorance are devastationg our schools. It'll take more than $90 million to clean up this mess in order for the Cherry's of the world to have a chance. What we are preparing them for is the criminal justice system. It appears to be benefiting the most form an inadequate educational system that addresses unrealistic test scores and not the real problems of the students it educates. Our clients aka students are failing because we are failing them. Their problems are greater than reading, writing and arithmetic in 2010. We are facing huge obstacles. Wake up people! Wake up! Help is really needed if this community is seriously concerned. Our kids need our help!! Spare the lip service."

[Craig]

Excuse my last interjection but I had to share that before I move on with my next student teaching assignment. I was assigned to a county school that was, at the time, 80% white. Oh yea, on my last experience while student teaching at the city school the faculty was about 70% African American and the students were 100% African American. At the county school the students were 80% Caucasion/white and the faculty was about 90% white. As at most schools the kids seemed energetic and excited. I was helping out in a math class and most of the students were white kids. The days were similar to the days at the all Black city school but there were some differences. I noticed there weren't as many discipline problems sent to the office and I didn't see any corporal punishment even though it was still permitted at that time. When "Johnny" misbehaved he was talked to and the tone appeared to be different, in my eyesight. The kids behaved the same. They were active and loud. Some were lazy and inattentive. but in the majority of cases they were there to learn. The same as the city kids! I did otice though there seemed to be more tolerance with the kids. I'm not sure what this is about but I am positive of my observations. The little white boys and girls did the same things the little Black boys and girls did but their parents were notified and seemed to be more involved in the day to day affairs of their kids education. Teachers made sure the discipline was documented and often they would have to really explain situations that involved a white student. At the Black school there wasn't as much involvement on a daily basis by the parents or guardians. It appeared the school provided the parenthood. Even though I was at both places the parents seemed more involved at the county school.

The cafeteria offered more to be desired for the students and the teachers. The students seemed to have more fun during physical education class. There seemed to be more for them to do. Now hear me, these are vague observations but I did notice/feel a different energy while student teaching at the predominantly white school. The processe were the same, checking in, teaching, planning, monitoring, classwork, activities, administration, homework, etc. But the overall energy was different. It appeared brighter, more student-friendly, more teacher friendly, and overall, a better teaching and learning environent. Perhaps, I have certain judgments and shadows about this but to me it was a better environment. Again, these are just one teacher's observations.

The administration was helpful and friendly and didn't appear to have the energy or a warden. She was a white female and, I believe the assistant principal was a white male. I did notice some students being disciplined but there was little, if any corporal punishment. At the Black city school corporal punishment was the norm. The assistant walked the halls with a paddle in his hand all day long. Interesting as it was, even though the commute was longer for me each day, each day was less stressful. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed the commute. I enjoyed the kids about the same because my objective was to observe and help with the teaching and daily management of the class. The white kids gave me as much respect as the Black kids and the problems were few in each case for me but I did notice a change in the environment and a change in how the overall school was managed. I believe the kids behaved about the same but more learning is taking place at the county schools, it appears and more disciplinary problems seem to be the focus at the city school. Again, these are only my judgments.

I'll get back later with more observations and input on these early processes.

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

Craig, this is unique in that most adults over 40 have no mass of what it is like being a student or teacher in this era or the "real" challenges teachers and students are facing today. When I have engaged people about this they almost automatically revert back to how it was when they were in school as if that means anything today. I have visited schools, spoke in classes and assemblies. I made it a point to talk to teachers and students and most importantly listen to them. I began to get a different picture.

A couple of years ago a young woman who is in our group moved from Denver to here to teach. She moved in with us. She had never taught before, that was her first year. I tried to warn her what she was getting into, but she was excited about her new profession.

Man her first two weeks were an exercise in terror and confusion. Denver, CO is not a hard core town. memphis, is hard core by any standards. We would help her debrief every night. She saw chair fights, stealing, sex acts, lying, threats, teacher assaults, teachers quitting running down the hall screaming I can't take it anymore all in just the first two weeks. I just about bust my gut laughing and I must say it did feel good telling her, "I told you."

So keep it coming brother. They need to read this so they can quit lying to themselves and perhaps understand that it aint the children's fault and it aint just the parents fault either. It is systemic.

[Craig]

I know that person Al! I know she is frustrated and disillusioned. Most of the time I am too! I don't want this to appear as a bash session/discussion but maybe, just maybe, someone will read this that can do something about it. All I can do is what I do. My best! It is frustrating when the systems' teachers are constantly beat up, harrassed and misunderstood. This shit is like going to war everyday. I'm a Vietnam veteran and I have spent months at sea on a ship, in an engineroom where it was noisy and over 100 degrees for 4, 6 and sometimes 12 hours at a time, serving this country. Believe me, teaching is far more stressful! Yes, it has its intrinsic rewards but if I knew what I know now when I started, I don't know if I would still be doing this! I'm in too deep now to let it go!

As for the students, I understand them too. Sometimes they appear to see through all the BS, involved with public education. Some even enjoy the BS. I'm trying to help many navigate through this maze of a system. Those who choose to hear/listen to me will succeed. It is a vehicle that many have chosen so why not make the best of it. And, for those who don't want to be here, I say, "Leave!" It's that simple! Now where they go is another story. (smile) Ij ust hope they don't break in your house or mine while we're at work! To be continued!

[Craig]

Where was I? I had just finished my stint at the county school. Overall, the student teaching experience went quite well. In reflecting, I would say that the experience at the city school gave me a better picture of what to expect, since I knew I would probably get a job at a predominantly Black school. The elementary kids at both schools were fun but the discipline problems at the predominantly Black city school far exceeded the problems in the county. Each school had issues, in my judgement, but overall the county school was easier to deal with, it appeared, as a teacher. Organization was important at both. Planning and communications with the parents would be important at both schools, I felt, it I would want to be successful. How to manage discipline and control was a real issue at the city school.

By taking the classes at LeMoyne Owen, Shelby State and Memphis State, I had learned various strategies and methods for teaching all subjects and strategies for managing discipline issues. Most of the assertive discipline techinques seemed to have good intent in the college classes but I wasn't too sure as to how would they work in a real class. I wasn't sure about them but I would try them. My scores in math and science were high so I believed I would be best at these subjects. I also had been given strategies to teach the other core areas, like reading and social studies. I was taught to plan and learned the importance of monitoring the class at all times. One of my favorite classes would be an assessment class. This class showed me that everyone assesses differently. Some teachers see the students as half full and some teachers see them as half empty. In this particular class all the students were given a test (the exact same test) and asked to score it. It was interesting because we each scored the test differently even though there were no right answers. It was a math exam and since I am pretty good at math, I thought it would be an easy task. Neeless to say, I graded the test higher than most because I tended to look at the way the student (test taker) thought. Many classmates scored the test with a failing grade. I didn't! I look at how my kids think. That was the moment when I knew I would be a different type of teacher. I judge many of my own teachers loved the way I thought and therefore allowed me more of an opportunity to succeed. I had both Black and white teachers as a student in growing up in the sixties. I also had a lot of male teachers. I will address the issues of sex and race as this discussion goes on because I know it is a factor in our kids lives. This is a huge factor, especially in the city schools. I feel these issues are very important in the success and failure of our kids today. Teaching is an adventure and it appears we have a generation of learners that don't learn the way we did. I was drilled, taught to study, do homework and ask questions. I thought that would be a helpful method and I employ it rigorously but many of our studetns need different stimuli if we are to reach them. I grew up with 3 channels on a black and white television, if lucky. I had AM radio, a turntable and spent most of my free time outside playing with my friends. The electronic stimulus was totally different. I played baseball, basketball and hide and seek until the lights came on. I rode my bike and threw rocks. We had one telephone in our house and one television. We ate dinner at the table every evening and went to church two or three times a week. Times were definitely different. Our seats were nailed down in the classroom. We had recess! Teachers could paddle if need be and we would get another when we got home. If I got in trouble at school I got a beatdown when I got home. Then I got talked to! It was just a different time. Today's kids are electronically at a whole different level than we were. They have IPODs, MP3 players, Cable, DISH, Direct TV, cell phones, Wii, Playstations, internet, DVD players, etc., etc., etc. There is no comparison. And with all the changes in society public schools have basically remained the same! I'll discuss this further, I'm sure!

[Craig]

I am always optimistic. Sometimes over optimistic. I was hoping that after the Christmas break things would change. Oops! They haven't! It's 2010, let the teaching and learning begin. Now where was I on my journey?

I believe I had completed my student teaching at the county school and was about to complete the courses that would qualify me for my teacher's credential in elementary education. A couple thoughts about the coursework come to mind. These thoughts may also contribute to some of the problems we have in the public school system. The qualifications of the teachers preparing our students for this world must be examined. A problem arose when I was to take the National Teaching Exam. One of my fellow adult classmates was having problems passing the math portion of the exam and they knew math was not a problem for me. The problem came when they boldly asked me to take the math portion of the exam for them. I was shocked! Shocked that they would even consider asking me to do that. First of all to do that is fraudulent and secondly, to ask me that was a slap in my face. But they did. Of course, I refused. I don't believe they ever passed that portion of the exam even though they weregiven a couple of years to successfully complete that portion of the exam. In the end, I believe they just gave up. The academic process for certification was intense and thorough but you had to have some fundamental academic skills and competencies to be successful. Thanks to my earlier years of study in the public school system of the city where I had grown up, East St. Louis, Illinois, I was well prepared. Even though I had a degree along with the others and the 30 hours of coursework didn't count towards my Masters, I sucked up my pride and took advantage of the opportunity and did quite well. Now I was prepare to take what I had learned and apply it to my first teaching position in the Memphis City Schools. Boy was I excited.

After graduation, I was assigned my first teaching postion. It was an honor to have this opportunity. I was assigned a sixth grade teaching position at an elementary school in South Memphis. I was ready to give back and grateful to have an opportunity to affect the minds and spirits of these inner city students. I'm sure I had truly found my calling! We shall see! (smile)

[Craig]

My primary purpose is to reflect and share my experience, strength and hope of my teaching journey from the beginning. From time to time though I'll stop and interject the present by letting you know what's currently going on. Today, is a prime example. This was the first real bad weather day we've had all year. Jjust to give you an idea of that process I need to share this. Now mind you I grew up in the St. Louis area and snow was never a problem. Bad weather period was no problem. We went to school, rain, sleet or snow. And we didn't have a lot of air conditioned classrooms back in those today. I don't know what that's all about but "it is what it is!" Now, if the city schools had decided to close the public schools like the county schools (public and private), the Arkansas schools (public and private) and the Mississippi schools (public and private), I'm sure there would have been complaints by many parents and citizens. But, they decided to leave the schools open. Then they decided to let the students out an hour earlier. Decisions, decisions, decisions! My problem with the whole thing is that students don't come to Memphis City Schools when the weather is good so why do they think students will come when the weather is bad. My first period class had one student and I may have averaged eight students in each of the other classes. It really doesn't matter to me as long as the students who want to learn come when they want to learn. Whether they come or not, I am still going to have instruction of some sort. I wish they would all try to learn when they do come. Today, those who did come did behave and make an effort to learn, I think. I think there is a thing about attendance in the public school systems, as it relates to receiving state funding. The schools can't make these students come. Police can't make them come. In all honesty, during my tenure as a cxity school teacher, I have notice that many of our students would prefer not to come. What is that all about? Good or bad! I'm not sure! I just call it like I see it. Maybe, just maybe our kids know something we don't know. More to come!

[Craig]

There is so much to process mentally as a public school teacher that somedays I just have to take breaks. These last few weeks have been very unusual with the Haitian earthquake taking place. I am also going through observations. The Haitian piece has drained me even though I am in Memphis. Watching such devastation and seeing the death and loss of so many has taken its toll. Then to be teaching students who appear, for the most part, not to even care aobut themselves much less the Haitian people, well it is really frustrating. I will elaborate later. I just need a break. The disconnect by so many of my students is so sad! I think I will hold up on sharing anymore until I get more data. I hope it changes soon.

[Craig]

Where was I? My first teaching assignment in the city school system was as a 6th grade teacher at an elementarty school in South Memphis. The school building was a beautiful structure. The staff was very friendly and seemed quite happy. I was excited to be the only male in the school other than the building engineer. Now that, in itself, ought to tell you something about the public schools. There is very little masculine energy at the elementary levels. The majority of the administrators and the teachers were female. I am not sure if the data shows that this has an impact on the students but I'm sure it does. As a child, I didn't see Blacks or males on television or in positions of power. I judge it did effect my psyche.

My first years as an educator were exciting. I taught all subjects and managed my discipline pretty well, considering I did have some challenges. There were some good students and some tough ones. A couple situations that I have never forgotten are as follows. The first that comes to mind was a situation where a young male student called me a "stupid mother fucker!" I laugh when I think of this but it was my very first incident where I felt powerless. Every Friday I would give spelling tests. This particular student had problems with spelling. He was quiet and had an IEP. I was new to this whole process but I was aware of his learning difficulties. One day I was pretty tough on him. Maybe too tough! I wanted him to study more and practice. I wanted him to succeed. I pushed and pushed and pushed until I hit his button. I challenged him using pretty tough language but no profanity. In hindsight, I probably should have been softer on him. Never-the-less, he called me a "stupid MF"! I immediately responded in the shock mode and took him to the office. He was angry! I was angry! We both were angry! (smile) I spoke to him in private, with the administration and with his parents. We reached an agreement and I gained his respect as much as he gained mine. I had to change how I was assessing him. He couldn't spell 20 words every week but he could spell 5. I still remember this like it was yesterday. I saw the parent of the student about ten years later and asked about the student. He's doing fine! But he was a tough cookie.

In the beginning, as a male teacher, I was asked a lot to paddle kids, especially, the male students. I had mixed emotions about using corporal punishment, but I did use it anyway. One day two boys got in a fight in my room. Now, if either had gotten hurt or injured from a desk or sharp object, I would have been blamed. I shared that with the students! So, I gave them both licks. The female principal was looking through the door window and saw me giving them the licks. She didn't say anything at the time but called me in her office after school. She let me know she has seen me. She asked, "Would you do it again Mr. Randolph?" I reponded, "Yes!" I explained to her just how I felt about the situation and the teacher blame game. I told her I would do it again if in that same situation.

Studies and pedagogy have not shown that corporal punishment really does any good. It just seemed to be a temporay fix for behavior. It puts a bandage on situations but never really changed any of the long term behaviors. I am so glad it was banished in the school system because even though I administerd it, I hated it!! And never do if it you are mad. Then it really becomes abuse! There were times I was so mad, I just couldn't issue the licks. They would fight and curse and do things that would make me angry and all I/we knew to do was to paddle them. It was best to have someone neutral to the incident issue the punishment the punishment was corporal.

Many of the male and female students at the elementary level are challenging. It takes a lot of energy and a passion for teaching. These kids are tough. There is a lack of male energy in their lives. The parents have changed, if they have them. Many are being raised by younger parents or grand parents. The learning difficulties vary but are many. Academia in the community is looked at as the enemy in some cases. Parents support the schools but don't really understand the challenges their kids and teachers face. Very few really participate in the classrooms with their students' teachers.

There were other situtations that come to mind being the only male teacher at an elementary school. My second principal was very attractive and would try to use that to manipulate me. It didn't work! She dangled the possibility of me "playing" assistant principal. I didn't want that position without being able to do things the way I wanted to do them. I refused to be a puppet. Even though she was a beautiful woman, my priority was the children. I kept my perspective and chose to just teach. I prefer being my own man.

One of the better memories is when we took a group of students on a field trip to Atlanta. Having graduated from Morehouse I was able give them a guided tour through Atlanta University. That was special to me. There were many students who had never had that opportunity and to see them enjoy that experience was gratifying and still is a great memory.

I often run into some of those students from time to time and it is rewarding when you see them doing positive things. I am also aware of some who have chosen to do negative things. One, was a student who the principal bonded with because he had her son's name. He was also one of the students I had to discipline for fighting. I hear he is in prison.

[Craig]

Where was I? My first teaching assignment in the city school system was as a 6th grade teacher at an elementarty school in South Memphis. The school building was a beautiful structure. The staff was very friendly and seemed quite happy. I was excited to be the only male in the school other than the building engineer. Now that, in itself, ought to tell you something about the public schools. There is very little masculine energy at the elementary levels. The majority of the administrators and the teachers were female. I am not sure if the data shows that this has an impact on the students but I'm sure it does. As a child, I didn't see Blacks or males on television or in positions of power. I judge it did effect my psyche.

My first years as an educator were exciting. I taught all subjects and managed my discipline pretty well, considering I did have some challenges. There were some good students and some tough ones. A couple situations that I have never forgotten are as follows. The first that comes to mind was a situation where a young male student called me a "stupid mother fucker!" I laugh when I think of this but it was my very first incident where I felt powerless. Every Friday I would give spelling tests. This particular student had problems with spelling. He was quiet and had an IEP. I was new to this whole process but I was aware of his learning difficulties. One day I was pretty tough on him. Maybe too tough! I wanted him to study more and practice. I wanted him to succeed. I pushed and pushed and pushed until I hit his button. I challenged him using pretty tough language but no profanity. In hindsight, I probably should have been softer on him. Never-the-less, he called me a "stupid MF"! I immediately responded in the shock mode and took him to the office. He was angry! I was angry! We both were angry! (smile) I spoke to him in private, with the administration and with his parents. We reached an agreement and I gained his respect as much as he gained mine. I had to change how I was assessing him. He couldn't spell 20 words every week but he could spell 5. I still remember this like it was yesterday. I saw the parent of the student about ten years later and asked about the student. He's doing fine! But he was a tough cookie.

In the beginning, as a male teacher, I was asked a lot to paddle kids, especially, the male students. I had mixed emotions about using corporal punishment, but I did use it anyway. One day two boys got in a fight in my room. Now, if either had gotten hurt or injured from a desk or sharp object, I would have been blamed. I shared that with the students! So, I gave them both licks. The female principal was looking through the door window and saw me giving them the licks. She didn't say anything at the time but called me in her office after school. She let me know she has seen me. She asked, "Would you do it again Mr. Randolph?" I reponded, "Yes!" I explained to her just how I felt about the situation and the teacher blame game. I told her I would do it again if in that same situation.

Studies and pedagogy have not shown that corporal punishment really does any good. It just seemed to be a temporay fix for behavior. It puts a bandage on situations but never really changed any of the long term behaviors. I am so glad it was banished in the school system because even though I administerd it, I hated it!! And never do if it you are mad. Then it really becomes abuse! There were times I was so mad, I just couldn't issue the licks. They would fight and curse and do things that would make me angry and all I/we knew to do was to paddle them. It was best to have someone neutral to the incident issue the punishment the punishment was corporal.

Many of the male and female students at the elementary level are challenging. It takes a lot of energy and a passion for teaching. These kids are tough. There is a lack of male energy in their lives. The parents have changed, if they have them. Many are being raised by younger parents or grand parents. The learning difficulties vary but are many. Academia in the community is looked at as the enemy in some cases. Parents support the schools but don't really understand the challenges their kids and teachers face. Very few really participate in the classrooms with their students' teachers.

There were other situtations that come to mind being the only male teacher at an elementary school. My second principal was very attractive and would try to use that to manipulate me. It didn't work! She dangled the possibility of me "playing" assistant principal. I didn't want that position without being able to do things the way I wanted to do them. I refused to be a puppet. Even though she was a beautiful woman, my priority was the children. I kept my perspective and chose to just teach. I prefer being my own man.

One of the better memories is when we took a group of students on a field trip to Atlanta. Having graduated from Morehouse I was able give them a guided tour through Atlanta University. That was special to me. There were many students who had never had that opportunity and to see them enjoy that experience was gratifying and still is a great memory.

I often run into some of those students from time to time and it is rewarding when you see them doing positive things. I am also aware of some who have chosen to do negative things. One, was a student who the principal bonded with because he had her son's name. He was also one of the students I had to discipline for fighting. I hear he is in prison.

As I begin to reflect on some of the issues of teaching, corporal punishment, like most discipline caused me to think about several things. Here we have these little people in these unnatural environments, i.e., classrooms, desks, hallways, doing natural things, i.e., talking, moving, laughing, playing, etc., and we punish them. We constantly discipline/punish them for doing natural things at times when they want to do them. That appears so cruel. We want them to do the things when we want them to do them. The school environment appears to be more of a training ground for behavior than for learning/teaching academic skills. Most of my day is reminding students to be quiet, to listen, to sit down, to disassociate from their neighbors during class. I wish there was a better medium/vehicle to allow more natural behaviors while they learn. The school building appears to be a place that the experiment can take place but the stress of teaching reading, writing and arithmetic, makes the social part more of a challenge. The students in the earlier grades love to play and school seems to be too serious, these days. How can we reach that happy medium in those buildings called schools?

[Craig]

I've had an interesting last few weeks. I better jot this down before I forget what took place. We had a snow day right after Super Bowl. I decided to take that Tuesday off, also. That Wednesday morning when I arrived started with a fight between two young men in my 2nd block class. I was taking the roll and looked up when one young man was headed towards the other. They had been jawing for weeks and I had constantly been monitoring them and talking to them. One day the boy who got the worst of the melee had taken off his shirt in an effort to prepare for the inevitable. I asked him to leave the room and cool off. Nothing happened that day. This day it did! I immediately ran to the incident, even though it is not my job to physically break up fights. That is why they have security. But I do it all! Another student helped me hold the two students until security came. This took about 15 minutes. I was really pretty winded because it took a lot of energy to keep these guys from each other.

I have had other incidents in my career where I had to break up fights or lay my weight on kids to keep them from hurting each other. It really becomes a chore. As I get older, it really becomes difficult. Technically, I am not supposed to intervene. If something happens and I am physical with a child I can be liable for injuries. It is ridiculous but it is the rule. I do not like breaking up female fights but I have had to in the past. They fight more/worse than the males. I had one incident at another high school where a girl told me, "If that young ladies moves, I am going to kick her ass!"

What happened is the young lady threatened had the other young ladies shirt. She was determined to get it one way or another. I put myself between the young lady who had been paged from the office to discourage any violence. When the young lady tried to leave the room the other girl jumped three desks and chased her into the hall. This type of activity is regular in some schools. Some kids are violent by nature. When that girl caught the other girl she lit into her, pulling hair and pounding away. Again mind you I am not security but they finally came along with the police and separated the girls. One had a hand full of hair and the other was bleeding pretty bad. I believe they got a suspension of a couple weeks. In Kroger’s it would have been assault.

Also this week we had parent teachers' conferences. Guess who showed up? The female parent of the kid who go the worst of the fight. She was trying to blame me for her son's fight. He had put the blame on me and tied to say that I didn't do anything to protect him. It's a joke. I had told him several times to come in class, sit quietly and do his work. Did/does he? No!! I shared with that mother who I had met once before with an attitude, that I am not the enemy. I am there to help her son succeed. I am from East St. Louis, my brother is in the penitentiary, and I have a son. I know the struggles of young Black men and I was one myself. I am there to assist him and help him, if he lets me. We resolved our differences, I shook her hand and his and hopefully when he returns, he'll be ready to do his work, the proper way. He admitted to her that he hadn't been doing anything in class. We all shook hands and hopefully things will work out.

[B. Crittenden Freeman]

Craig, first I must honor the fact that you put yourself in harm's way to stop violence. 2nd, why isn't it Assault? Because your school has become a baby-sitter. Why do they want these vilent perpetrators in school? Because if they weren't in school they would be on the streets engaged in crime. I'm willing to bet you that the level of crimes goes up when the "end of day" school bell rings!!!!

You're caught in a vicious cycle.

Question?
1. What would happen if all the violent perpetrators were expelled?
2. How many kids would be left in schools?
3. How much would crime go up?
4. How would the teaching environment change.
5. How would the environment change?
6. Would grades go up?

Do the teachers feel comfortable going to the Principle & School Superintendent and demanding that the "Zero Tolerance" policy be strictly adhered to? No exceptions?
Can your fellow teachers do this?