The Final Weeks-Part 1

When I think back to the week of January 30th, two things stick out:  How unbelievably slow the week crawled by and the look in a little girl’s eyes who knew her dad had forgotten her.

Stebbins at sunset

The week that January finally turned into February began wonderfully!  On Monday, I only had six students, and the combination of kids that I had gave me more opportunities to teach to the group as a whole instead of dealing with behavior issues.  No part of the Fearsome Foursome was there which made a world of difference.  I feel bad, at times, because when those boys are absent I am somewhat relieved, although those four need school the most.  Of those in attendance, I had two boys and four girls.  The day was free of tears or bloodshed. 

Once Tuesday rolled around, however, things returned to normal ­– or should I say abnormal again.  For some reason, the girls (who are supposed to be made of sugar and spice and everything nice, right?) wanted to be mischievous with the boys, which meant even more trouble.  Some of the manipulative teaching items had to be put away because they turned into weapons.  Long foam blocks became swords and guns to “kill zombies”.  The violence that comes out in these students’ anger and play bothers me.  Children learn by example and knowing where this stems from concerns me more.  

As I get closer to my last day with no official word of when the regular classroom teacher will return, I worry about the kids.  The more they are in school the better it is for them, and if the regular teacher does not return, they may have to shut down the program for the remainder of the year.  I am the third sub they have brought in.  The one I replaced did not want to extend her contract because of the extreme situation within the classroom as well as the other factors that I have been experiencing.  

 Stebbins, Alaska

The Head Start building is a different world in comparison to the main school building.  I feel isolated and alone there. I also long for the collaboration and classroom environment that exists between the teachers at the main school.  For example, they can Skype with each other throughout the day.  If one has an issue with a student, they can send a message — or Skype — to the office and someone arrives to take care of the problem.  They also have running water, a lunch break, and Wi-Fi.  The water at the Head Start is taken from a trashcan labeled, “Water Used for Drinking and Cooking Only.”  

After school, because I do not have Internet access at the Head Start (the aids do on their office computers) I write out the next day’s lesson plan (even though I am not required to) and write my reflection about the day, which is also for my personal use.  Sometimes, after the students leave at 2, I go to the big school to work on things just to be around everyone else — as well as use the Internet.  I have to enter checkpoints online for each student for the program that is based out of Anchorage.  

As the week dragged on, each day brought little gains, as well as more challenges.  One of the Fearsome Foursome hit a little girl in the face on Wednesday and had to be sent home, but this same student (I’ll call him Chief because he runs the show) has greatly improved since I first arrived.  “Chief” rules the roost but he has very endearing qualities.  I have made a connection with him, and his parents are one of the few that will talk to me, wanting to know how their boys are doing.  I have made sure to greet each child and their guardian as they arrive each morning.  Some will respond. Others will not because I am white, and they know I am the third person who has taught the class this school year. Therefore, they know that I’m not a permanent fixture.  

When it comes to behavior, “Peter”, the one who stabbed me with a pencil, is very smart and can love when he chooses to.  When he begins to get angry or act out, there is no stopping him, while Chief’s behavior can be deferred.  When Chief starts to get angry, I can usually talk him out of it.  I teach him about making good decisions and suggest other activities he can do. This usually works.  Sometimes, I’ll work with him on an activity to distract him when I perceive things are about to get out of hand.  I’ve found just taking one student out of the equation can make a world of difference — plus the individualized time with Chief has worked wonders.  

The road to St. Michaels

On Friday (which seemed like an eternity to arrive) when it came time for the students to go home at noon, all were picked up except for one who remained until almost one.  This little girl was the one whose face I mentioned in the beginning. I’ll call her Jasmine because it’s her favorite Disney princess.  “Jasmine” and I read books until about twenty after when she looked up at me and said, “Daddy forgot me.”  I kept reassuring her that he would be coming while the aid made calls trying to find out who would be picking her up.  As we continued to read, I felt her head lean into me.  Glancing down, I saw she was falling asleep.  I kept watching the door and waiting for her dad to arrive so she could go and take a nap.

  

Most days, the children come in after having only a few hours of sleep because of their parents’ lifestyle.  One morning, as the parents were dropping off their students, one little boy was tearfully begging his Dad to take him home, crying/shouting, “I got no sleep, Daddy!”  It was heart wrenching to watch.  

Finally, “Chief’s” dad came back to talk to our janitor and said he would take Jasmine home, which is not uncommon in the village.  The aid looked at her and said, “Your dad forgot about you.”  Although she was being playful, she didn’t realize how hurtful her words would be, but I knew judging by the pained look on Jasmine’s face that she took it to heart.  

Outside of school, I took my first trip to St. Michaels to buy a few groceries at their store.  Most of the teacher's shopping is done there because it is much bigger than the one in Stebbins.  There is a road that connects the two, and it's about 15 minutes away.  I also went cross country skiing for the first time.

About to go cross country skiing

Even though the week seemed like it would never end, I was not prepared for the events of my final week.  

I fly out on Valentine’s Day, leaving late in the afternoon from Stebbins to Anchorage where I will take the red eye to Seattle and then, finally, on Wednesday, to Dulles.

I have nearly a seven-hour layover in Anchorage so I will save Part 2 until then.