When a sophomore boy came crashing backpack first through my classroom window, I was standing inches from the rainstorm of glass. Completely unscathed, the student and his friends ran snickering from the scene. Shattered debris had destroyed the reading nook I’d created with my own money and high hopes of engaging at-risk readers. Jagged shards embedded in book covers and beanbag chairs served as reminders of the sudden and violent outburst.
Click HERE or the graphic below to read the rest of my new story about how my colleagues and I successfully engaged at-risk learners AND improved the overall school climate.
Now on We Are Teachers!
(what a lead-in. you’re hooked, right?)
[…] There I was, fresh white-faced among a sea of color with empty pockets. I threw away the books and suggestions after the first day because this school? It wasn’t covered in the extensive how-to chapters, nor was it included in the HORRAY and YOU CAN DO IT prologue. As many times as I threw my hands in their air with an accompanying exasperated fuck it, I always found myself drawn back. What began as a dicey this-could-be-the-stupidest-thing-I’ve-ever-done move, slowly morphed into something beautiful and worthwhile and fulfilling. […]