Project Bookshelf

Project Bookshelf

The saying, “it take a village” is never more true than when talking about education.  When I began my journey into education, I recognized from the start, I will always need more than I have to give...financially.  Anyone who knows me, knows I never have an issue asking for donations when it comes to my kids.  

One of my best friends, Marni and I used to talk about how we would collaborate with our classrooms or schools when I became a teacher.  Marni is a spanish teacher at Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, IL.  It seemed like forever ago that we fantasized about how we could bring two different worlds together, in the name of education and kids.  Also, it would be remiss of me to not add, Marni has been my biggest advocate on this journey from day 1!  From the career change, to the move from administration to the classroom, she had been behind me 100%.  

So at the beginning of the year when we discussed a possible idea of a book drive with some students I was excited!  I figured I would be that much further ahead for my classroom and students next year, when I get my own classroom.  A couple hundred books would make a world of difference for my classroom library as a literacy teacher!  

What happen was unexpected and humbling to say the least.

Marni told me that the Freshman student council was excited and had taken it upon themselves to have a freshman class project which would be entitled, “Project Bookshelf”.  Students were going to bring in books over the course of the next couple months under the guidance of their staff advisor, Ms. Rogna.  A couple weeks in, Marni told me they were expecting close to 300 books!  I was so excited!  In addition, the kids were making a bookshelf that they all were going to sign.  We made arrangements for me to come out and meet the kids and thank them during their student council meeting in the morning before school.

As the book drive came close to and end, on the last day, Marni began updating me, “there are 500 books so far...and it’s only 3rd period”. I was overwhelmed.  That’s a classroom right there! What happen then was beyond anything I could have expected.  The freshman student body at Lake Forest high school had collected 1500 BOOKS!   I was humbled and moved beyond belief.  

1500 books.  As I drove out to Lake Forest on a Thursday morning, I tried to think how I could express to these kids what this will mean to MY kids.  I brought donuts as a small gesture of thanks (because kids are kids!)  but when I got up to thank them verbally, it just flowed. I told them while we may take for granted the ease of access of a good book, it is not so easy for all kids.  I referenced a student in my classroom this year who literally loses herself in books and I am convinced on some level, keeps her grounded and focused.  No student should ever feel access to good literature is a gift.  All children, from Lake Forest, to North Lawndale, to Lincoln Park to Roseland deserve the same access and availability of books.  I pulled several books already for that student I referenced.  I can't wait to give them to her.  

Thank you Marni Levinson, Cindy Rogna and Lake Forest Freshman Class for helping bridge the gap one book at a time!

Be Flexible!

4 weeks until spring break.  In those 4 weeks we will have completed our spring lead teach, received a formal observation by an AUSL Administrator, completed our teacher work sample, given the lessons, collected and processed the data, ended quarter 3 AND began quarter 4 (another 4 class quarter) and last but not least, taken our APT test, a 5 hour test that will determine if we are able to get our teaching license.  4 weeks.  Sometime during this period, turnaround schools will be announced, communities will rally to stop them, and the air itself will become so thick you can cut it with a knife. But not to worry.....because if I am anything now, I am flexible!

Now, I have no problem with "being flexible" but tell me this, when did "being flexible" become synonymous with "adapting your schedule and time to others because they haven't gotten their work done or basically have their shit together."  I'm just curious.  And, while we are at it, bigger picture, why is this ok in an industry that should be more urgent than ANY in existence??   I am going to be teaching ( God-willing) for a while, but when and if I become an administrator, I'm going to have a few things to say.

We (educators) want to be treated with as much respect as people treat bankers and lawyers, but that can't happen when we don't act as professional as they do.  24 hour email turnaround times and listening to your voicemails is the BARE MINIMUM.  Yes, family time is important, it's important to doctors, lawyers and bankers too.  But honestly, especially if you are working within the constraints of our lowest performing schools, clocking out at 5 on friday and not returning emails until sunday night or monday morning when there are monday deliverables is not acceptable.  I am not saying work through the weekend, but honestly, the lack of accountability is shocking to me.

When I worked under Dr. Donald Fraynd in OSI, we all were absolutely on the other end of the spectrum.  Being available 24/7 was acceptable, and with the exception of well deserved vacations, we never hesitated to call, email or text each other at any time.  Sure, this may not have been the healthiest of environments for all, but we actually took the CPS mantra (which used to be on the CPS id badges) "EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY" to heart.

Now, I know lots of people are going to have plenty to say about this, and that's ok.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion.  But the truth of the matter is while bankers quote, "Money never sleeps"  do the streets of Chicago ever stop pulling at our kids?  Does school climate and culture take a break from being chaotic when we peace out?  Does a student's ability to read progress with 1 hour of reading a day and nothing beyond that?

How do we find a happy medium that gives our students and the environments they spend their days in, a fighting chance?  Does poor planning and a complete lack of organization contribute to the need for over communication?  Are we (CPS) training our leaders to be leaders, and arm them with skills such as organization, good communication, smart business sense, ability to empower others, and delegation??

We criticize charter schools and private, but only in these environments can leaders be creative and require what is necessary and not what is required by the district  (these are different things for sure), or have longer school days without a march down LaSalle street.  Charter organizations like KIPP and Noble are doing some AMAZING things and I truly believe, CPS proper has the potential to be amazing as well.  But it starts with stopping the bullshit request for everyone to "be flexible".   We just don't have that kind of time.  What would happen, if for 1 year, every person who touched kids in CPS, from the grant claims department at central office to the teacher, to the city year staff pushed themselves like it was their last chance every day?

I will continue to "be flexible" because I am just a resident and my thoughts and opinions are not requested at this time.  But watch out CPS because like a phoenix rising you will know when I am empowered with the true ability to affect change on a larger scale.  I hope you're not sleeping when it happens.

Good luck to all the residents starting their lead teach this week!  Go change some lives!!!