At a middle school in Ohio, Mrs. H’s alternative classroom is like her – atypical. Tables are set up rather than desks, to foster teamwork. Beanbag chairs are scattered here and there.
“It may look unorganized, but it works,” said Mrs. H, who has taught here every school day for the past six years. Mrs. H teaches at a school in Middletown but she asked not to be identified by name. She does everything she can to protect the privacy of her students.
A student who had a rough night for whatever reason may be napping in a corner. A couple of girls may be found braiding Mrs. H’s long blond hair between math and social studies. When one student has a meltdown, Mrs. H sends the other kids out the door with the teacher aide. She gives the student space to express his frustration.
The majority of her sixth and seventh graders come from poverty-stricken and abusive homes; some are shuttled back and forth between foster homes. There are students with no running water at home for weeks at a time. Children come to school with no shoes, no coats, no decent clothes. A few parents are addicted to drugs or simply never home.
Now, public school students in Middletown face even more obstacles to learning. The school day has been shortened so that classes are dismissed at 1:30 p.m. Gym, art and music are cut back to the absolute state minimum. In Mrs. H’s class, gym is the only time some of her students are physically active. It was a part of the day that was a treat to them. High school students and many middle school and elementary school children now must find their own ride to school, since busing has been cut back.
Still, teachers like Mrs. H keep trying.
The keys to success in this classroom are humor, love, and a laid back approach to dealing with what other teachers may see as chaotic circumstances.
“My goal everyday is to pick my battles,” she said.
She spent the first two weeks of school simply establishing a rapport with her students. They trust her with their deepest secrets. They know she cares.
She wouldn’t trade the students she teaches for a classroom full of gifted learners. Originally shooting for a degree in social work, Mrs. H changed her major at Miami University to education because she felt she would be better able to impact young lives. She is licensed to teach children with severe behavior handicaps and those who are developmentally handicapped.
“I love being a role model and mentor for students who are ready for change. I deliberately chose a major to help the kids who were looked over most of the time. That’s what I got,” she said.
Although these kids’ academic curriculum is the same as the mainstream curriculum, Mrs. H focuses on behavior. Her students overcome behavior obstacles by learning to work as a team. She groups kids with different personalities together purposely so they learn to get along together to work toward a common goal. Her goal: to keep these kids out of trouble and in the classroom.
She’s not only a highly involved teacher and counselor, sometimes, she’s like a parent. She views these nine children as her own. She is fiercely dedicated to seeing them make it.
Mrs. H lugs bags of clothing, shoes and other necessities into her classroom. Children proudly tote them home. For a few days she might see a particular child wearing the new tennis shoes she had bought before they mysteriously disappear. Very likely, they were sold, or stolen.
In her first year of teaching, Mrs. H became close to a student. She was one of seven children, and planned to be the first in her family to march down the aisle, diploma in hand. Her illiterate mother struggled to raise her family alone. The student had a 17-year-old sister with three children already. Another sister, 14, also had a baby. Mrs. H didn’t give up on her after she moved on to higher grades. She prodded and pushed her toward graduation, spending endless hours cajoling and encouraging her. Mrs. H would take her to the movies, or even to get a pedicure.
She made it to her senior year before quitting.
Mrs. H grieves and goes on. Another school day begins.