June 12
The question and focus for today remains the same: What does it mean to have an integrated community that is focused on/mindful of the education of children? Part of the answer is feeding children.
I began the morning by volunteering myself to help make a batch of scrambled eggs for the breakfast club that was visited by many hungry little people who happily gobbled their scrambled eggs, sausages, and toast. During that time I met some more of the remarkable staff and workers that give their time for the students. One lady, who was a massage therapist, eagerly incorporated Spanish into the morning by enthusiastically teaching each student how to ask for their apple juice in Spanish! “Manzana, por favor.”… “Gracias!”
After this experience, I spent the rest of my day with the Kindergarteners, some of who recognized me from the breakfast club! They were eager little learners, and were very high energy. It was fascinating hearing about the Jolly Phonics program that was being adopted. It renewed my understanding of how one learns the English language. The whole emphasis was to get students to spell with a semblance of accuracy: The Kindergarten teacher told me how some students would shut down if they are pushed to spell “correctly” as opposed to spell “how it sounds”. The whole intention was to get kids to write.
At the end of the day, what made the most impact on me and my question of an integrated community was when a handful of the Grade 2 students, who I was with yesterday, ran up to me to say good bye, whilst giving me hugs. This is not a common occurrence for me. I have been in grade 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5/6 classes over a period of 4 years. What type of freedom and sense of safety do children need in order to have the comfort and care to be so open to a stranger like me who has only been in their school for one day (I don’t think that I’m that charismatic)? What exactly is happening in this school, this community, that is not happening in the schools that I have been to? Perhaps it is because everyone is connected to each other in some way shape or form?
After the end of school, I went on a hike with the principal, Bill, and we had a quick chat. I recalled hearing how teachers are very well known when they go to the grocery store; he replied by saying that if you do not want to be known in Princeton, teaching is the wrong profession for you. I think that is a fascinating concept: everyone, including the students know who the teachers are. Perhaps the comfort and sense of safety that students have arise from the fact that teachers are prominent figures in the community of Princeton; they are respected; they are cared for; they are loved and are bridge builders.