Kyle Berg

I just got around to reading an email from my friend Anthony, whom I met at my language school in Buenos Aires. He quit a very nice job to pursue his teaching degree and just started in December as a high school math teacher in Washington D.C. I went to a public high school, but definitely never experienced anything like he is going through. Here’s what he wrote:

It’s been an up and down ride, but today marked my second full week as a High School Math Teacher at Spingarn Senior High School in Washington DC (a few blocks due north of RFK stadium).  Algebra I is my subject, chalk is my medium.

The first week was a total culture shock.  Before the novelty wears off and I become numb, let me share some items of note;
- At least two of my students are pregnant, two others have kids already (note, I teach mostly 9th graders)
- 50% of the students have special needs
- Several of the students are on parole, and some have ankle bracelets which monitor their whereabouts
- 35 students are registered for each of the three 90-minute classes I teach.  Two of those classes are for “repeaters”.
- Attendance is atrocious.  Yesterday, Thursday, I had three students in my first class, one in my second, and two in my third.
- So far, the most students I’ve had at one time is 12.  When that many students get together it’s difficult to keep order.
- On Wednesday we evacuated the school for a few hours as a student set fire to a locker.  This was the third time this has happened this fall.  Oh, there was also a fight.
- When not attending class, the students roam the halls, kicking doors, running into random classrooms, and shouting.
- Every once in a while the Principal comes over the loud speaker and declares a “Code Green”.  This means the teachers are not to let anyone into or out of their classrooms.  AT this point the security force and Asst Principals sweep the halls and suspend anyone they find without a pass.
- There is the obligatory metal detector at the front door.  There are quite a few security personnel on site, probably about 10.  All students and staff have photo ids.
- Many of the teachers complain about being cursed out by students and some are threatened physically.
- The school seems to be in good shape physically.  Well, except for my classroom – see attached photo’s.  Peeling paint, stained lights, missing floor tiles, and graffitti on almost any vertical surface.
- The school didn’t have a library until 3 years ago when one teacher decided to start it.  Many of the books she buys with her own money at flea markets and bookstores.
- There are about 800 students; approximately 350 in 9th grade, 250 in 10th, 150 in 11th, and 50 in 12th.  Lots of attrition.
- The staff has been unbelievably welcoming, and friendly towards me, and I really like the Principal.

Seeing how the staff stretch their resources, made me think of the piles of old binders we would throw away from time to time at Hines.  If there is ever a stack of binders that are reuseable, please let me know and I’ll come get them to take to the school.
Also, if there is any furniture left behind by vacating tenants, the school could use that as well.  Specifically desks (mine is a sturdy small wooden one circa 1930), bookcases, filing cabinets, and whiteboards.  I’ve been going through so much chalk that I start coughing from all the chalk dust at the board.  In Feb., I intend to perform a “Classroom Makeover” and overhaul the room, after I get rid of all the old junk that is cluttering it up.

There’s more, but I’ll save that for another time.  But know that the students that do come to class but forth good ffort.  I’ve already taken them through an entire chapter on solving equations.

Thank you for your support, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Anthony “Algebra” Priest