"Education is the Civil Rights Issue of Our Time."

Last August, I started a journey like no other.  After teaching as a Preschool teacher at a Head Start in Los Angeles, I decided to uproot myself across the country and join a charter school that was turning around one of the most violent and under-performing elementary schools in the city.  After completing my two-year commitment with Teach For America, I thought the task-at-hand would be a piece of cake.

Four hours into the first day of school, as I locked myself in the classroom closet and wept, I realized just how big of an undertaking this would be.  My students knew less than the preschoolers I had taught previously.  They had practically no social skills.  And some were extremely violent - not only to other children, but to adults as well.  Did I mention I was teaching Kindergarten?

Throughout the year, my Facebook statuses became littered with the countless quotes my students would provide me each day.  Some were horrifying (ie: One of my five-year-olds holding a Bible in his left hand, while giving the middle finger with his right hand, and telling another student, "I'm gonna kill you, n*gger!").  But the majority of them were amusing, as I was given a glimpse into a five-year-old's logic on diversity, racism, and poverty.

I received countless comments on my posts, telling me I should start a blog about my classroom.  However, I didn't actually consider it until the end of my first year teaching; at the end of such a difficult year, when I could stand back and see such amazing accomplishments my students had made.  My 24 students, who came into the school year not knowing any letters or sounds, had finished Kindergarten on grade level.  (In fact, two-thirds of my class actually finished at a mid-year 1st grade level.)  To say that I was proud would be an understatement.  However, looking back at the entire process, I thought, "How the hell did I do that?"  "What happened again in October to make me finally love my classroom?" "What worked in the classroom?  What didn't?"

A wise and veteran teacher told me that she kept a journal each year she taught to help her reflect on the success and failures in her classroom.  So without further ado, I bring you the journal of my Kindergarten classroom.  While I enter this school year much more prepared and confident than last year, I am sure there will be many mistakes, heartbreaks, and laughter along the way.  My hope is that you can live vicariously with me through my journey.


One final, but important thought before I close out my first entry...

I am a teacher at a public charter school that has been highly publicized for its success in academic gains and closing the achievement gap.  I am damn proud of my school and the work I do each and every day. 

However, with all of that being said...I am not saying that charter schools are the answer.  I am, in no way, saying that my teaching or my school is "better."  But what absolutely infuriates me, are the countless comments I hear downplaying the achievements we've made, simply because we're a charter school.

So let's get the facts straight:

• Last year, our school had a lower withdrawal rate than the previous years.  We absolutely do not kick out students for behavior issues.  All means all.
• Statistically, we have more students with IEP's and special needs than the average public school.  And yes, all of those students are accounted for when it's time for standardized tests.
• Yes, I am a part of a school that pays-per-performance.  And I couldn't be happier.  After receiving numerous observations, coaching feedback, and constant instructional support to help make me a better teacher, there are no surprises when it comes to my end-of-year performance summary.  I know exactly where I stand and the specific goals in place to help constantly improve my teaching.

The entire education system is in a state of disarray. It is absolutely unacceptable that only 10 percent of kids who enter Kindergarten in my city will eventually graduate high school and go on to college. 10% is failing. And it's the comments I see on various education sites that boil my blood:  

"It can't be done in public schools because they kick out all their bad kids and send them back to us." 
"Those charter schools are run like a business, they know nothing about education."

Well, obviously we know enough to see that if something is broken, you need to fix it.  The house is burning; either get out or save it!!!  Again, I'm not saying there's a cookie-cutter answer for how to bridge the achievement gap.  However, something desperately needs to be changed because the longer we wait, the longer we continue to fail our nation's future.  It's time to stop pointing the finger, placing the blame, and making excuses!

For all intents and purposes, I don't plan on this blog to be politically-focused.   Although, I do give fair-warning now, I am so completely passionate about this issue that sometimes I will get on my soap-box.

It is merely my hope that the day-to-day occurrences in my classroom can give you insight into the needs of my students in a low-income area.  I also hope that it will inspire you to see that no matter the difficulties my students face, high achievement can not only be accomplished - it's expected.