Issue 58: Student

Noun. A person who is studying at a school.

Photo Description: Student Julius doing one of his favorite things. Looking at dinosaurs and learning about them.

Check-In:

My son has hated school since kindergarten. He started during the pandemic- virtually and it has gone downhill from there. Every morning is a struggle to get him out the door. He gets tons of support outside of the classroom and gets lots of breaks, but it just isn’t working. He’s in fourth grade and has a long way to go; developing a dislike for school now isn’t looking good for his future. Below is an edited version of our conversation a few months ago:

Mom: J, why don’t you like going to school?

J: I’m not having fun. The classroom is too noisy. It’s too long. Some subjects like science should be longer. I have to wake-up early.

Mom: Why are science and art your favorite subjects?

J: Art allows me to be creative, and so does science.

Mom: You said your first and second grade teachers were your favorite teachers, why?

J: Because they were nice, and I got to do things I really like

Mom: What are your favorite days of school?

J: Fridays. The days before a break.

Mom: Why do you keep asking to be home-schooled?

J: I want to be near you and I know you can teach me. I miss you when I’m at school.

Mom: But aren’t I boring?

J: Sometimes, not all the time.

Mom: Don’t you want to be around other kids?

J: Sometimes, but not all the time.

Mom: So, what would you want a school to look like that was made for you?

J: Not waking up that early. Activities based on the things that interest me. Just some kids so I can have friends, but not too many.

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I have a “lifetime goals” list on my wall that I wrote close to 10 years ago. (sidenote: my sister added the last one herself). I don’t look at it often but have consciously or unconsciously been checking every box with only one fully remaining-“To be a superintendent of schools (in a nontraditional way).”

So here I am. For the past few years, I have looked for other options for my son. Unfortunately, the options are far away, expensive, and of questionable quality. Compounded with the shifting circumstances of our public education system, I’m faced with an issue, an opportunity, and a list of goals- so I introduce to you THINK360 Academy. THINK360 Academy is a project-based learning micro-school for neurodivergent learners who need non-traditional ways to learn and shape their future. Our mission is to cultivate a dynamic educational experience for elementary (eventually K-12) students by fostering creativity, meaningful connections, and the confidence to think critically in an ever-evolving world. Our website connects to ways to follow along and support- blog, Facebook page, and Instagram. Our first request will be support to furnish our classroom, so stay tuned!

How are you responding to issues and opportunities hiding in plain sight?

#mondaymotivation:

We real cool. We

Left school. We

Lurk late. We

Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We

Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We

Die soon.

-We Real Cool by Gwendoyn Brooks

Interview with a Leader of the Global Majority:

Nicole Johnson has been an Equity Advocate/Consultant at her former high school at the NYC Department of Education since 2016. The comments below are Nicole’s and do not reflect the opinions of her district. Her first interview excerpt can be found in Issue 19: Safe

Mary: What have you learned and unlearned about your identity, upbringing, and other formidable experiences since taking on this role?

Nicole: My role at PPAS is a bit peculiar because I am also an alumnus of the school. I began this work after my undergraduate degree in a very informal sense and utilized the space somewhat as a case study for my developing curriculums.

Nicole: I recognized that my high school experience was certainly missing aspects of African American history, social capital building, self determination, and problem solving. Although I was able to navigate those concepts on my own, we were missing instruction that would prepare us to be contributing citizens in our communities.

Nicole: I also recognize that my mission, moving to New York from South Florida and having the pressure of my family back home, certainly changed my educational experience. The idea of being educated in a different place and the family component of expectation created a learning environment for me that was highly focused and goal-oriented.

Please let me know if you would like to be interviewed and/or if you would recommend someone to be profiled in this section. I need new interviews!

What I’m Reading, Watching, and Listening To:

• READING: I’m reading Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray, which tells the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the first Black female literary editor of The Crisis and W. E.B. Du Bois, the founder of The Crisis, not only Jessie’s boss, but also her secret lover. I haven’t read much historical fiction, but this one is educational and entertaining! You can find a full list of my book recommendations here. Please note that I am an affiliate with Bookshop.org and receive a small compensation for your purchase when you use the book links provided.

• LISTENING TO: The Hedge School is a micro-school in Texas that is looking to scale. This podcast talks about Dr. Flynn’s entrance into developing an approach focused on “consent-based education.”

• WATCHING: Benita C. Gordon on the podcast, Identity Talk 4 Educatos with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah. In this conversation, Benita shares about entering the world of microschooling and so much more!

How to Continue to Support Leading-Within:

• Go to Amazon and rate or review the book there! Reviews are a great way for others to see that this book is worth the time to read.

• Post about the book on social media using the hashtag #leadingwithin. Even better if it includes a picture of you WITH the book!

• Host a book club with your affinity/ERG group. Two study guides are also available on the ASCD website - one for leaders of color and one for white co-conspirators that are perfect for starting a group conversation. For book clubs with participants who have purchased and committed to reading the book, please reach out to me so I can support your journey!

• Connect with me to speak to your organization or group about topics covered in the book, like ‘practicing love and rage’, ‘building a coalition’, and ‘taking a stand’.

If this is your first time reading, please go back and read my Introductions post.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think. If you like it, please share it with your network!