I remember the way the rocks felt under my shoes. Sometimes they were wet. Most days they were dry. The days that it snowed, they were quiet. Walking to and from school were the moments I usually walked to alone. My five senses were alive in my neighborhood. There was inspiration from the birds tweeting, ants crawling, taste of dirt as a car drove by, sun on my skin, and best of all the smell of real food that was coming from the school cafeteria. Walking to school day to day in every weather was my lesson in “You will get to school and be on time…or else.”
Labor Day, Halloween, New Year’s day, May 5th
The school year started after Labor Day. The weather was warm on the way there and HOT on the way back. Halloween the weather started to get cooler in the mornings and warm in the afternoon. New Year’s day was cold both ways. May 5th marked cool mornings and warm weather on the way back. Walking to school was expected and completed by myself. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had an understanding of being responsible. I was responsible for getting to school on time. I had learned to set a schedule. I knew what time to leave out the front door to get to my class before the tardy bell. Being tardy was 100% unacceptable with my parents. Being tardy meant getting yelled at and sometimes getting the belt as punishment. I have seen students walk to school during all my milestones. My classroom is a safe place to come into from all the elements. I do set the expectations that every student is on time. That expectation sets the tone for students to practice responsibility, dependability, and discipline of their own actions. They don’t know it, but this practice will be one of their expert skills in life.
The lesson of dealing with DREAD
Walking to school sometimes was filled with dread. On the way to school, didn’t finish my math homework; didn’t bring my meal ticket; didn’t know if my one best friend was going to be at school; didn’t want to run the mile in P.E. These major issues were with me every step. Today as I drive to work, I see some students walking to school. What dread thoughts are they dealing with? The lesson of dealing with dread as a kid has the teacher in me contemplate that dread is going to come into my classroom. To counter the dread, I greet each student with either a high five or knuckles. Some students do not want to be touched. So every student is given a smile and friendly eye contact. I say their name as they walk in. I affirm they presence is welcomed and dread is not.
Time to Think
Walking to and from school was the time to think. The only person there hearing the way the rocks sounded was me. But, my neighborhood was a stage where I practiced my craft of writing, drawing, going over what I could of said in the argument with some of the kids at school. If I was going to be able to watch one of my shows in the living room that night. How I could of done better on my test. How I could be a better athlete like my brothers. How I wish I was pretty and popular like Monica Chavez, Debbie Papa, Irene Loy, Laura Marcial, and Yvonne Ramos. Why was my mom always so tough when I wanted to open up to her. Who shot JR? What are students thinking about as they walk to school? Most students I see in the morning are walking alone. But, in the afternoon, I see most students walking in groups. I am able to use this information for background knowledge of students. Students come in to the classroom with thoughts all over the place. My classroom has to have a focus. I frame the lesson and what activities are best for that class. The classroom management is to keep student actively engaged with chief bucks to keep that focus throughout the class time. Each class can be the same, but this is middle school. Each class is going to be different. Getting to know how students have relationships outside my classroom, gives insight to how my philosophy in teaching will proceed each class.
Being responsible, dealing with dread, and time to think by walking to and from school were vital to me as a kid. Now as a teacher, students have the same things to go through but not from my past. I have developed this parallel in writing. It is extremely important to understand students are dealing with today’s technology, current events, family dynamics, and school culture for being responsible, dealing with dread, and time to think.
Lessons in education 