The Middle School Diaries: So it begins…

"It's the City of Angels and constant danger South Central LA, can't get no stranger..."

-Tupac Shakur, To Live and Die in LA

The first thing I was thinking in my mind as I was driving at 5 in the morning from Orange County to Los Angeles was: “What in the world did I get myself into?!”

I got to school so early that the gates were closed and no one was there. The sun wasn’t even out yet! I stayed in my car and observed the houses around me. All the windows had bars on them, I saw two black cats cross the street in a matter of 5 minutes, and the same guy in a yellow puff jacket circled the block twice already. I made sure my doors were locked. I definitely wasn’t in Orange County anymore.

My assignment entailed substituting for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade social studies in a school in South Central Los Angeles.  What makes this experience different from other substitute positions is that I was going to be there for 2 ½ weeks and I didn’t have any detailed instructions or lesson plans. I was just given three textbooks: one for each class. Did I mention that this was my first time teaching middle school? And in December?! Every teacher knows that students are ready to check out and go on vacation. So my assignment seemed like Mission Impossible.

Don’t be alarmed and please by any means think that this was unfair. I knew what I was getting myself into. Due to the economy, the school has suffered from many cuts and I was filling in for the sixth grade teacher who is also the social studies teacher/music teacher/basketball coach/vice-principal/and Superman. The school was preparing for their annual Christmas program and so they needed an extra hand. That’s where I came in! A former colleague and roommate of mine referred me and that’s where The Middle School Diaries begin…

Week one:

No one is listening to me. Everyone is talking. The students are talking to their friends and getting out of their seats.  Is that guy chewing gum in the back of the class? Oh please don’t tell me he is massaging that girl’s shoulders. Did they hear me assign these questions? “Boring? You think this is boring? I’m sorry if you actually have to do work in this class.” “Go back to your seats.” “What are you doing?” “Are you done?” “You should be working.” “Girls, this is not a beauty parlor.” “Okay, settle down.” “Sit down!” “You! Get out of my class!”

Enough! I can’t take it! These were some of the thoughts and words I came across the first week of school.

The first day I had thoughts of quitting, but I knew it wasn’t an option. I didn’t show it, but each day I felt defeated, discouraged, and disrespected. I wasn’t teaching second grade anymore and I was in a different area catering to a different population. The students were predominantly Hispanic and African American, few Filipinos and one Caucasian. (I didn’t realize I had one until I graded papers and returned them back. The student was SO quiet and shy.) Oh, in case you didn’t know, South Central isn’t necessarily the safest neighborhood either.

But I learned a lot during this experience and I give much props to the teachers who do stay in the field of education because it is a tough gig. I give even more props to teachers who teach in inner city schools because it takes a special person with a lot of patience to reach the youth and to stay there.

So this is what I learned my first week teaching in an inner city school in Los Angeles. You know what? It’s not so different from life or any other job you may have.

1. First Impressions Count!

When managing three classes, 36 students per class for one hour each, their first impression as a whole class and as individuals leave a lasting effect on you. I distinctly remember the students who act out and the students who are very respectful and well mannered.  Whoever’s in charge, it pays to be on their good side because he or she can determine whether your day will run smoothly or be the hardest and longest day you will ever have in your whole entire life.

Out of all the classes, I was impressed with the eighth grade. Although I was forewarned about their behavior and them being the worst class, they made such a positive first impression on me that any negative comments made towards them were nonexistent. It must have helped to have a pep talk from the principal before entering my class, but everyone sat down quietly, they raised their hands when they wanted to speak, and when it was time to speak they stood up, introduced themselves, sat back down, and continued to express their thoughts. I wasn’t expecting that at all! I was impressed!

Although their perfect behavior didn’t last long, the way I treated them and handled situations were much to their favor. I spoke to them with ease and patience. If they got out of line, I reasoned with them instead of reprimanding them right away. I even spent more time planning quality lessons for this particular class because I knew they would appreciate it more and listen to me as opposed to other classes.

2. It's important to have allies.

When you’re new, it’s important to have people that got your back. The students did test me and take advantage of me. I was only a substitute, a temporary teacher who would be out of their lives by winter break.  Who would really care?

Your allies.

There are students in each class that have a great influence on other people. Befriend them! Get to know them! Be on their good side! Because when people act out, they will be the ones to have your back and put the others in check.

These students were my saving grace and I had one or two in each class.  They’re usually outspoken and if anyone messes with them or looks at them a wrong way, he or she will be the first one to say something. You don’t want to mess with them because A) He or she will make you feel stupid, or B) He or she will definitely put you in your place by any means necessary.

One time I was waiting for the class to stop talking so I could start my lesson. I didn’t feel like raising my voice so I just waited. I waited a good while. One of the students stood up and told the whole class to shut up. Although I don’t usually condone such language, it seems to be a normal word uttered in class along with other related words. But the students were quiet and it worked.  I continued my lesson.

3. You really need to get to know a person to get through to him or her.

Of course having students say “Shut up!” to each other is not the solution to your problems. Eventually, you’ll have people mad at each other and it could possibly escalate to another situation. I had a fight almost break out in one of my classes because a student looked at another student the wrong way. I nearly had a heart attack, but I also knew that I was in charge and I controlled the environment of my classroom. I needed to change something and quick!

After watching the movie Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock, I knew I had to get to know the people I was dealing with. The movie tells the story of the Baltimore Raven’s football player, Michael Oher, and how he came from a poor background and became a rising football star.  Sandra Bullock’s character found that, although he had extremely low test scores, he scored outstanding well in protective instincts.  Thus, the story unfolds and his dim situation progresses from there.  Using a person’s strength as a starting point is genius! So I’m wondering what are my students’ strengths? What are their weaknesses? What do they like to do? Is there anything going on in their lives that affect their mood in my class?

I made them fill out a “Getting to Know You” and “All About Me” sheet.  Once I got to know certain information about them, I was able to use it to my advantage. “Oh really I didn’t know you played basketball /football or were in cheerleading?”  “Team Jacob or Team Edward? Hmm, I’d pick the more good looking one.” “When you grow up you want to make a difference? That’s why I became a teacher.” By building rapport with my students, I was able teach. I incorporated teams, games, and a point system in my lesson plans instead of reading straight from their textbooks. Getting to know them allowed me to cater my lessons to their interests.

4. Sometimes you need to put your foot down and be the bad guy to get results.

There were times when no one was in the mood to listen to me. Winter break was getting closer and closer.  Sometimes the classes would be out of control!  I distinctly remember the first day that one of the classes did not want to listen at all. As I was talking, they just continued to talk to their neighbors. Their voices overpowered my own voice. I had to raise my voice and anyone who thought of speaking while I spoke was to see me after class. Some of the students found it funny so I kept them in longer and I had to speak to three students about their behavior. One of the students said, “But I couldn’t help it. I’ve never seen anyone’s neck roll like that?!” I didn’t know my neck even rolled, but from that day I knew that I had to be tough. If not, they would just walk all over me.

One day, I had one student walk around the class with his pants sagging mid-lecture. I told him to pull up his pants, have a seat and when he did, he continued to distract the other students around him. I forgot his name at that moment and I said, “You! Get out of my class! There are students who want to learn and if you don’t want to learn then get out of here!”  I’ve said it to him before and I even pulled him aside and rationalized with him about his behavior, but this day I was not going to tolerate it.  Nope! Not having it! Go to the principal’s office.  I definitely remember his name now and he apologized to me before I left that day about his behavior.  For the most part, he didn’t cause any major disruptions, but it was a struggle to keep him engaged in the lessons.

One time, one of the classes were beyond out of control. It was right before lunch and I had students screaming and jumping, and outside the hall I see the other class lining up nice and quietly one by one.  Nope! I was not having that at all either. I closed the door and yelled “Get your be-hind in your seats right now or you’re spending lunch with me!”  One of the students tried to be funny and talked back to me so I said, “You! See me during lunch,” and I folded my arms as I said it. 

 “Oooo, she gave you the neck,” one of the girls responded.

“Yeah and I can give you so much more than that if you continue to talk.”

I thought, ‘There goes the neck again. I don’t even know I did that.’ The students want to give some attitude to me so I am going to give some attitude back.  Obviously, there’s only so much I can do as a teacher when correcting my students. When they are out of line, it’s time to get serious and since they don’t usually see that side of me they knew to be quiet. Super quiet.

I hated being the bad guy, but sometimes it's necessary to put your foot down or they will continue to walk all over you. You know that boy who talked back to me? When his classmates were off to lunch, he knew what he did was wrong. He was quiet the whole time as I spoke to him.  I didn’t make him stay long. I knew that there some issues at home, but I did speak to him about his behavior and about point #5:

5. Treat people with kindness and respect regardless of who they are.

This was the advice given from the principal to the eighth grade class. They were applying to high schools and there were going to have high school students come in and help them on their applications.  She reminded them to show these students respect and to be kind to anyone regardless of who they are.  You never know if you will meet them later down the road and they might actually help you out or put in a good word for you.

I thought that was very valuable advice. I mean, the eighth graders were so respectful to me that I treated them well throughout my weeks teaching at their school.  If I was to run into any of them later down the road, I would be sure to put in a good word for them.

Now you know that boy I mentioned earlier in point #4, the one who stayed behind?  Well, I reasoned with him and told him:

“I like you. You’re a good student and I could see that one day you could be a great entertainer. You like to make everyone laugh and I saw you singing and dancing like Michael Jackson in the aisles. You kind of remind me of Jamie Foxx. You know who Jamie Foxx is, right?”

He nodded his head.

“Well if you want to make it in this world, then you have to be respectful of other people. You never know who’s going to help you out one day.  You may not want to have respect for people of authority or people on top, but it’s those people on top that will help you make it big. Do you understand?  And it starts by respecting your classmates and teachers. Your teachers are there to help you out.”

As I was saying this, another teacher came in and he agreed that this student has great potential, but he needs to listen and have respect. I have never seen this student so calm and quiet as I spoke to him.

I walked him down to the cafeteria so he could get his lunch.  The other students started talking to me and I was scanning the room to see where he went.  I lost him! I couldn’t find him, but I did hear the girls screaming his name saying “Don’t cut in line!”

I shook my head and pulled him aside. “Did you just forget what we talked about?  You need to let the ladies go first and get in back of the line. Respect.”

His quiet, calm self lasted for five minutes.

And there you have it: the end of week one.

It’s a never-ending cycle. I feel like a broken record, constantly repeating myself. But you keep going and you keep doing it because it does matter.

I feel for all my past teachers and my parents who had to deal with me, but I’m glad that they didn’t give up.

I find myself saying the same things to my students that they have told me. So I actually did listen, and maybe what I’ve said to these students will actually sink in one day.

One day.

That following weekend, I spent the whole time grading and planning for the upcoming week. It’s my job to teach.

Too bad I never did listen in my social studies classes or honors history classes in high school. Did I tell you I failed my AP US History exam and if I took and passed the AP Government exam senior year, then I wouldn’t have had to take that boring Political Science class in college?

Karma! That’s what is!

How in the world am I going to teach this content when I myself don’t recall listening at their age?

Stay tuned for the next entry of The Middle School Diaries because it’s going to get interesting.

-April is a blogger for TheOnlineGrapevine. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.