If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them.

My students have the natural tendency to tag anything in sight. In years past I used to scrub away all markings, despite the content... until I took the time to look at what I was erasing. With the exception of some inappropriate tags or notes to 'follow me' on Snapchat, most were the names of and messages to loved ones who have left this world or locked up.  It was only then that I realized by ridding the tables of their tags, I was in some way also silencing their voices.

At that point I decided I was going to 'lean in' and not only allowed but encouraged my students to leave their mark. However, I quickly found the tables (and clipboards) covered only in sentiments that focused heavily on loss and pain. I wondered, how could we use the tables to not only remember but honor their loved ones? How can we find and foster hope and motivation from the loss and pain? So I began to add some of my own tags: "You are Beautiful!" "You are a mathematician" "SMILE 😀" ... and then during one class, while helping a group of students with a problem, decided to use the table as my writing surface. Since then, students have joined in - still adding sentiments towards those they love and miss but also adding their own motivational sayings or proofs of math knowledge.

Our classroom tables have become living artifacts. They capture the voices and narratives of my students, both as individuals and as a family unit.

#IfYouCantBeatThemJoinThem #MiamiAlgebraProject #Room3076 #StudentVoice #UnconventionalStoryTelling #NoneOfUsIsAsStrongAsAllOfUs!

I see you

I see you.

I see, you. Both of you.

I see you, through the wall

Built with bricks of

Loss

Pain

Failure

Distrust

SURVIVAL

I see, you. Both of you.

Man. Child.

            Stolen of his youth

Gangster rapper. Poet.

            Rhythms & rhymes of profound insight.

Smoker. Self-medicator.

             Vaccinating the disease of oppression

Instigator. Warrior.

            Courageously fighting an imposed battle

Lazy/unmotivated. Misunderstood.

            Brilliance awaiting the opportunity to shine

Entertainer. Leader.

            Begging to be seen and trusted to lead the way.

Disrespectful smart-ass. Activist.

            A voice yearning and demanding to be heard.

I see you

Who do you see?

Who is staring back at you?

Is it the same staring back at me?

I see you (or so I think).

Now, how do I reach you?...