Once upon a time at school: As a student... As an educator...

2/7/2025

Eve

2/7/2025 06:50:39 pm

David
I was teaching first grade in a private school. A mom was upset that I was holding her child accountable for her choices. Mom then tells me, "You're on the same level as the butler and the nanny and --." I didn't let her finish.

Rasha
Ugh. If we collected all the stories about privileged parents...
9:34 AM Jul 15

Daniela

Word.

Sarah
OMG

Sarah
Ironic that I chose to work in a place I hated my whole life.

Eve
More synergy. I hated school. I still do. Love teaching, but hate skool.

Tricia
I went to a very wealthy Catholic school in Long Island. My parents were called in to speak to the Dean and "Guidance Counselor" because I received several demerits for trivial infractions (wrong shoes, turning in assignments late). Once you reach 20 demerits, you get suspended. I got 19. They gave me one "just cause" to teach me "a lesson." I learned many lessons that day from everyone in that room.

Daniela
So much here --- power dynamics, the roles institutions (educational, religious) exert dominance and foster oppression.

Daniela
1st grade, one of the few children of color in the 'eagle' class in a public school in mill basin, brooklyn, budding consciousness coming into conflict with what was being taught in the room: a rosy story of thanksgiving

Rasha
In 1st grade, PS 173, I was tracked into the "top" class along with all the other kids who were not Dominican or Puerto Rican. The bilingual class was the "lowest" in their tracking system. There were 36 students. My teacher that year retired in January. We had at least 6 more teachers that year. Nobody wanted us.
9:42 AM Jul 15

Eve
Same 6th grade. I refused to stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance. I had to go out into the hall every day. They called my parents in.

Eve
1969. 6th grade. The line of little Black girls. The line of little white girls. Facing off like chess pieces in the principal’s office. I couldn't meet her eyes. She couldn't meet mine. This 'seed' could go on the 'I failed" page, too, as I've failed at writing this story--in many different forms--for decades.
Daniela
I still want to read this story...how timely, and always timely.

Eve
DG, I might never write it successfully. Who can tell who's story?

Daniela
yes, these questions are truly worth digging into and in a real way. do certain stories belong to certain people? which stories are collective and shared? how do we practice artistic craft of 'stepping into another's shoes' -- or can we never do so without diminishing the experience of other? what's the role of historical fiction in relation to these questions?

Sarah
Yes, I struggle with this every day...

Once upon a time at school: As a student... As an educator...

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