In July, I spent a week at the University of Kansas studying the landmark Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education. At the end of our day at the Brown national park site, the lead professor of the seminar shared with us a quote from W.E.B DuBois on segregated education and opened the floor to the participants to share their thoughts and reactions.
What happened next was a teacher led discussion on educational inequality starting with the segregated schools of the American South in the 1960's and leading up to today. It was a very interesting 90 minutes, with 25 teachers from around the country exploring many issues from race, teacher effectiveness, parental involvement and their influence on education. As a teacher from New York City, my contribution to the discussion focused on the crippling affect that poverty is having on many of the students in New York City and around the country.
Teaching in the Bronx for the past two years has brought the issue of poverty crashing into my world. I teach students who can rarely stay after school for extra help or extracurricular activities because they need to go home and watch their siblings while their parents (or in some cases, parent) work. Over 80% of the students at my school qualify for reduced or free lunches based on their family income. These are just two of many examples that I could use to show that learning is just one of my challenges my students face each day.When my students step into my classroom each morning, many of them have already had a pretty tough day; education is often the furthest thing from their minds.
If you listen to the media in our country, the performance of American students does not offer much promise for our future. A report released in 2004 shows that American students rank toward the middle or back of the statistical pack on math, science and reading standardized tests when compared with 34 countries globally. However, recent studies have shown that affluent students score up to 40% higher on standardized tests when compared with low income students, an increase that would have an impact on the statistics found in the 2004 report mentioned above. While there are many issues facing education in America, the one with the most profound impact on our educational system is the gap found between rich and poor students.
This week, NY1 reported that up to 70% of students in New York City live at or below the poverty line. On a personal level, this article comes at the right time, as I begin to shift out of "summer" mode and prepare for the upcoming school year (call it Spring Training for Teachers if you will). This study is a reminder of not only how important my job is, but how challenging it is as well. I agree that quality instruction and teaching can make a tremendous impact on students but I'm also aware that there are many forces out of my control that impact my work as well, with poverty being at the top of that list.
This isn't a teacher making excuses (as I'm sure many people outside of the world of education would believe) but rather an educator who lives and experiences these issues everyday. We live in a world of "quick fix" solutions (over testing students, charter schools, vouchers, "for profit" education, etc) but poverty is an issue that goes beyond the classroom and thus cannot be "easily" tackled. As with all education issues, it is vital that teachers share their voice on this issue and push for change. From there, it is left to our government and policy makers to do what we need them to do and take on the most difficult issues facing America today, starting with the disparity between rich and poor and the devastation that extreme poverty is having on both our country and classrooms.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Meeting Mrs. Brown
I'm spending the week at the University of Kansas attending a seminar hosted by the Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History on the Civil Rights Movement, in particular the Brown vs. the Board of Education decision. I'm hoping to write a few times over the course of the seminar to share my thoughts on history, teaching and the fact that it's 106 degrees outside (apparently Lawrence, KS is located on the surface of the sun.)
As a history teacher, I am constantly reminded that the use of primary sources is the best way to enhance lessons and activities. While the use of documents and political cartoons is excellent, today I had the chance to work with the best primary source there is: a person who lived through the event.
Today our group had the chance to meet with Leota Brown Montgomery, the wife of Oliver Brown and mother of Linda Brown. The Browns, along with other families from both Kansas and around the country, fought for their children to have equal access to education in a case that was argued at the Supreme Court. While the landmark decision did not necessarily end segregation in our schools, it did give students of color the same educational opportunities afforded to white children. Hearing Mrs. Brown Montgomery talk about her life in Topeka and her family's experiences during the case that bears their name was amazing and is an experience I am looking forward to sharing with my students next year.
In addition to sharing stories of the Brown case, Mrs. Brown Montgomery provided much more. She is a living reminder that, although our country has made great strides in regards to race and equality, we still have many citizens who lived through the difficulties and struggles that made up so much of the African American experience in the 20th century. These individuals help us remember that we aren't all that far removed from a time where American citizens were discriminated against because of the color of their skin. Since 2008 we have heard how far we have come because we have a black president. While this is true, we are also only 60 years (a blink of the eye time wise) removed from a time where parents had to send their children to schools far from home because of their race.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
For Seamus
A six pack of Budweiser.
At each family party hosted at my parents house, I was in charge of getting the beer (no small responsibility in my family). As a part of this task, I had to have at least a six pack of Budweiser in the cooler for my Uncle Seamus. Seamus loved cans of Bud (preferably in a beer koozie) and it was left to me to make sure there were a few available.
While I am a member of a stereotypical large Irish family, the large majority of my aunts, uncles and cousins live in Ireland. Growing up in New York, I had two sets of cousins: the Brewster McCaugheys and the Askins. Although not technically our first cousins (I believe my Aunt Bernie defines it as "first cousins, once removed"?) the Askin family has been and continues to be a massive part of my life. At the head of that family was Seamus Askin, a man who was there at every Christmas, Easter and St. Patrick's Day from childhood to today.
Last Thursday, Seamus passed away.
Over the weekend, my wife and I were talking about how his death felt a little different because of who Seamus was. I could call him a "renaissance man" but I don't think that cliche does him justice. The man was an absolute one of a kind. I can't say I've encountered anyone like my Uncle Seamus and I probably never will.
He was an Irishman, who not only came to this country but also proudly served it in the Air Force.
He was a son, brother, husband, uncle, "granda" and friend.
He had the best head of hair I've ever seen, man or woman; I don't think I ever saw one piece out of place. I started to believe that's what it looked like when he stepped out of the shower. He also had a little Dorian Gray in him. You could see a picture of Seamus Askin from 1975 and he would look the same way 10, 20 or 30 years later.
He was the perfect best friend for my dad in part because of their love of projects both large and small. I came home to Stewart Manor once and found them loading trees onto a truck. Once it was packed, they drove it out to our house in Montauk and spent the next day planting them all.
Both men were over 70 years old at the time.
Another time, they picked up a piece of furniture from Macy's, drove it in to Forest Hills and carried it up the stairs to my fifth floor apartment.
Again, they were both past 70 years old.
He knew a little bit about everything. As a kid, my parents would tell me there wasn't a trivia question he couldn't answer. I tried my best to stump him, but never succeeded.
He was a great host. The Askin St. Patrick's Day party was one of legend and Seamus was always there with a song and a story. When my cousin Eamon flew over from Ireland in 2009, Seamus picked him up at JFK, brought him back to Locust Ave. and gave the man a beer.....or four.....or five. Eamon was in rare form for the rest of the night thanks to Seamus' hospitality.
He waged war on squirrels for crimes against his garden. I don't know what the statute of limitations is on kidnapping squirrels, so I'll go no further. I will add that I never thought that a squirrel would be able to find it's way back to Floral Park from Jamaica Bay.
These are sad days for the family and all who knew Seamus Askin, which judging by the turnout over the last three days, is a lot. While he is no longer with us, we won't soon forget him. I imagine that anyone who knew Seamus could put together a list like the one above.
Tonight I'll have a can of Budweiser in a koozie for Seamus and remember the times gone past and a life well lived.
Cheers.
At each family party hosted at my parents house, I was in charge of getting the beer (no small responsibility in my family). As a part of this task, I had to have at least a six pack of Budweiser in the cooler for my Uncle Seamus. Seamus loved cans of Bud (preferably in a beer koozie) and it was left to me to make sure there were a few available.
While I am a member of a stereotypical large Irish family, the large majority of my aunts, uncles and cousins live in Ireland. Growing up in New York, I had two sets of cousins: the Brewster McCaugheys and the Askins. Although not technically our first cousins (I believe my Aunt Bernie defines it as "first cousins, once removed"?) the Askin family has been and continues to be a massive part of my life. At the head of that family was Seamus Askin, a man who was there at every Christmas, Easter and St. Patrick's Day from childhood to today.
Last Thursday, Seamus passed away.
Over the weekend, my wife and I were talking about how his death felt a little different because of who Seamus was. I could call him a "renaissance man" but I don't think that cliche does him justice. The man was an absolute one of a kind. I can't say I've encountered anyone like my Uncle Seamus and I probably never will.
He was an Irishman, who not only came to this country but also proudly served it in the Air Force.
He was a son, brother, husband, uncle, "granda" and friend.
He had the best head of hair I've ever seen, man or woman; I don't think I ever saw one piece out of place. I started to believe that's what it looked like when he stepped out of the shower. He also had a little Dorian Gray in him. You could see a picture of Seamus Askin from 1975 and he would look the same way 10, 20 or 30 years later.
He was the perfect best friend for my dad in part because of their love of projects both large and small. I came home to Stewart Manor once and found them loading trees onto a truck. Once it was packed, they drove it out to our house in Montauk and spent the next day planting them all.
Both men were over 70 years old at the time.
Another time, they picked up a piece of furniture from Macy's, drove it in to Forest Hills and carried it up the stairs to my fifth floor apartment.
Again, they were both past 70 years old.
He knew a little bit about everything. As a kid, my parents would tell me there wasn't a trivia question he couldn't answer. I tried my best to stump him, but never succeeded.
He was a great host. The Askin St. Patrick's Day party was one of legend and Seamus was always there with a song and a story. When my cousin Eamon flew over from Ireland in 2009, Seamus picked him up at JFK, brought him back to Locust Ave. and gave the man a beer.....or four.....or five. Eamon was in rare form for the rest of the night thanks to Seamus' hospitality.
He waged war on squirrels for crimes against his garden. I don't know what the statute of limitations is on kidnapping squirrels, so I'll go no further. I will add that I never thought that a squirrel would be able to find it's way back to Floral Park from Jamaica Bay.
These are sad days for the family and all who knew Seamus Askin, which judging by the turnout over the last three days, is a lot. While he is no longer with us, we won't soon forget him. I imagine that anyone who knew Seamus could put together a list like the one above.
Tonight I'll have a can of Budweiser in a koozie for Seamus and remember the times gone past and a life well lived.
Cheers.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
My Dad and the Boys in Green
In June of 1994, the Rangers won the Cup, the Knicks lost the Finals and OJ was driving through Los Angeles in a white Bronco. I had also just graduated from 8th grade and was getting ready for summer, with freshman year in high school looming in the distance.
In June of 1994, the World Cup also came to America.
I am the son of an Irish immigrant. Prior to June of 1994, I had only visited Ireland once; a family vacation that I didn't remember much of because I was only 5 at the time. I always knew that a connection with my Irish heritage and family were important to my father and in June of 1994 the World Cup helped make that connection permanent.
One site of the World Cup would be just an hour from my home, at Giants Stadium. The first match? Ireland vs. Italy. My dad was able to get tickets and on the June 18th we made our way out to New Jersey.
Of the many memories that were created on that hot June afternoon, the one that I remember the most was the sight of the crowd. When we came out of the tunnel to go to our seats, we stepped into a loud sea of green. Out of the 80,000+ that could fit into that building, I could only see one section that wasn't wearing green or waving the tri-color. I knew the day would be special and it didn't disappoint. Ray Houghton scored, Ireland won and I was officially a fan of the "Boys in Green". In the following years, I would visit many pubs to watch many matches that often ended in disappointment but always left me wanting more.
I watched Jason McAteer beat Holland on the big screen at Slane Castle before U2 took the stage in 2001. (Bono called it the best opening act they ever had)
I stayed up late in New York to watch Matt Holland score against Cameroon and I got up early in London to watch Robbie Keane's extra time goal to earn a well deserved draw with Germany.
There was McCarthy, Kerr and Staunton, Trap and now the duo of O'Neil and Keane.
There were close calls, blown leads, losses in playoffs and of course the Henry handball in the Stade de France in 2009. The last European championship brought an end to a 10 year tournament drought but was also a competitive no show that ended quickly.
After a campaign that looked dead and buried a year ago, a stunner from Shane Long to shock Germany in Dublin helped Ireland qualify for the playoffs. A two legged win over Bosnia booked Ireland's ticket to France where it all starts today against Sweden (in the Stade de France no less)
I was thinking this week about why I was so excited for the Euros . Then, while messing around on YouTube, I came across a video of the aforementioned Italy match. After watching it, I looked at the following picture hanging on my wall and I realized why I care.
The love of this team goes back to Giants Stadium in 1994 and an amazing day that I got to spend with my dad. We ended up going to the after party that was held at the racetrack (I'm pretty sure my dad talked our way in) and we ended up driving two guys from County Monaghan back to Woodside, a move that only my father could make. These games and this team are important to me now because of how important is was to go to that match with my dad back then. It's a nice reminder of just how great my dad has been to me throughout my life.
Starting on June 13th, I'll once again be cheering for Ireland, with passing thoughts of 1994 and going to that match with my dad.
Come on you boys in green.
Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 Schedule
All times listed in Eastern Time
Monday June 13: Republic of Ireland v. Sweden 12:00 PM (ESPN)
Saturday June 18: Belgium vs. Republic of Ireland 9:00 AM (ESPN)
Wednesday June 22: Italy vs. Republic of Ireland 3:00 PM (ESPN)
In June of 1994, the World Cup also came to America.
I am the son of an Irish immigrant. Prior to June of 1994, I had only visited Ireland once; a family vacation that I didn't remember much of because I was only 5 at the time. I always knew that a connection with my Irish heritage and family were important to my father and in June of 1994 the World Cup helped make that connection permanent.
One site of the World Cup would be just an hour from my home, at Giants Stadium. The first match? Ireland vs. Italy. My dad was able to get tickets and on the June 18th we made our way out to New Jersey.
Of the many memories that were created on that hot June afternoon, the one that I remember the most was the sight of the crowd. When we came out of the tunnel to go to our seats, we stepped into a loud sea of green. Out of the 80,000+ that could fit into that building, I could only see one section that wasn't wearing green or waving the tri-color. I knew the day would be special and it didn't disappoint. Ray Houghton scored, Ireland won and I was officially a fan of the "Boys in Green". In the following years, I would visit many pubs to watch many matches that often ended in disappointment but always left me wanting more.
I watched Jason McAteer beat Holland on the big screen at Slane Castle before U2 took the stage in 2001. (Bono called it the best opening act they ever had)
I stayed up late in New York to watch Matt Holland score against Cameroon and I got up early in London to watch Robbie Keane's extra time goal to earn a well deserved draw with Germany.
There was McCarthy, Kerr and Staunton, Trap and now the duo of O'Neil and Keane.
There were close calls, blown leads, losses in playoffs and of course the Henry handball in the Stade de France in 2009. The last European championship brought an end to a 10 year tournament drought but was also a competitive no show that ended quickly.
After a campaign that looked dead and buried a year ago, a stunner from Shane Long to shock Germany in Dublin helped Ireland qualify for the playoffs. A two legged win over Bosnia booked Ireland's ticket to France where it all starts today against Sweden (in the Stade de France no less)
I was thinking this week about why I was so excited for the Euros . Then, while messing around on YouTube, I came across a video of the aforementioned Italy match. After watching it, I looked at the following picture hanging on my wall and I realized why I care.
Here I am in all of my awkward 13 year old glory with my dad and whatever dog creature was the mascot of the '94 World Cup
The love of this team goes back to Giants Stadium in 1994 and an amazing day that I got to spend with my dad. We ended up going to the after party that was held at the racetrack (I'm pretty sure my dad talked our way in) and we ended up driving two guys from County Monaghan back to Woodside, a move that only my father could make. These games and this team are important to me now because of how important is was to go to that match with my dad back then. It's a nice reminder of just how great my dad has been to me throughout my life.
Starting on June 13th, I'll once again be cheering for Ireland, with passing thoughts of 1994 and going to that match with my dad.
Come on you boys in green.
Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 Schedule
All times listed in Eastern Time
Monday June 13: Republic of Ireland v. Sweden 12:00 PM (ESPN)
Saturday June 18: Belgium vs. Republic of Ireland 9:00 AM (ESPN)
Wednesday June 22: Italy vs. Republic of Ireland 3:00 PM (ESPN)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Reyes Returns: Why I'll Boo
I will boo, but it's not for the reason you think. I don't blame Reyes for leaving the Mets last December. As a free agent in the prime of his career he made the right decision for himself and his family when he took the biggest offer, even if it meant leaving the team that drafted him and helped make him a star. Additionally, the Mets current financial limbo that the made it completely unrealistic for the team to sink an average of 16 million dollars into one player, especially one who is injury prone. I won't even boo because he joined the Marlins, a team that I have grown to hate after they gleefully ended our season two years in a row (fueled in 2007 by the antics of one Jose Reyes by the way.)
So no, I won't be booing because of Reyes' greed or a belief that he turned his back on the Mets. It won't be because he left for a rival team and it won't even be because of his highlighter orange hair.
Instead, I'll be booing because of September 28th, 2011.
On the last day of the 2011 season, many Mets fans showed up at Citi Field and tuned into SNY. they didn't do it to watch a sub-.500 team play one last game, but because they wanted to watch a homegrown player who they knew would be playing his final game in a Mets uniform. We wanted 9 more innings of the most exciting player to ever wear the orange and blue but instead we got three outs on the field and one pitch at the plate. After dropping down a bunt single, Reyes took himself out in order to win the batting title. To make it even worse he claimed that he did it for us, the long suffering Mets fans who have been clamoring for a batting champion for years, not for him and the millions that it would add to his contract (I guess I'm in the minority that would rather a championship or at least a pennant.)
So tonight I will boo. I will always remember the triples, stolen bases and "Jose" chants but tonight at 7:10 I'll think back 7 months and remember the man who dropped a bunt, walked away and blamed us for doing it.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
"Historical Graffiti": KWL Charts in my Classroom
I like to use KWL charts (Know, Want to Know and Learned) when I introduce big topics. It's a low stakes way to gauge my students prior knowledge as well as possible topics of interest that could lead to later lessons. After doing one to start the previous two units I felt that it was getting a little monotonous for the class. When I started my unit on Slavery this week, my students once again made charts but instead of the traditional three column KWL on handouts, they created KW charts on paper that was hung around the room. We watched two clips from the film Amistad during which the students recorded two pieces of information in their notebook for the K and W charts. After the clip, students were required transfer their four pieces of information to the chart paper.
A colleague of mine saw them hanging in the room and referred to them as "historical graffiti" which is not only pretty accurate but also the coolest things anyone has ever called my students' work. I have a total of eight of them hanging and while they look great from a far, it's what you see up close that is the most interesting. Each poster not only reveals a lot about what my students knew about slavery before they entered my room, but they also speak volumes about where my students are academically and intellectually. Comments featuring poor grammar stand in contrast next to sincere questions about the existence and nature of slavery.
As it was the first day back from break, I was just looking for something to get my students out of their seats while being productive. I really didn't have any expectations (good or bad) for it but I love the way it turned out and will definitely be doing it again.
A colleague of mine saw them hanging in the room and referred to them as "historical graffiti" which is not only pretty accurate but also the coolest things anyone has ever called my students' work. I have a total of eight of them hanging and while they look great from a far, it's what you see up close that is the most interesting. Each poster not only reveals a lot about what my students knew about slavery before they entered my room, but they also speak volumes about where my students are academically and intellectually. Comments featuring poor grammar stand in contrast next to sincere questions about the existence and nature of slavery.
As it was the first day back from break, I was just looking for something to get my students out of their seats while being productive. I really didn't have any expectations (good or bad) for it but I love the way it turned out and will definitely be doing it again.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Service Learning: Veterans and the Bronx
I'm lucky enough to work at the Bronx Lab School, a community that has made a commitment to service learning as a part of our philosophy and curriculum. Each year, for the last three school days before spring break, all students participate in a service learning project that is designed by one or two teachers in a program called Explore Week. After working with the music teacher on a project last year, I was looking to develop my own project for this year. Because of my experiences working with Operation Wounded Warrior through my volunteer fire department (chronicled on this blog in the past) I knew that I would love to do a project where our students got to work with our nation's veterans. When it was time to design our projects, a colleague of mine in the history department had the very same idea and our project was quickly developed: giving our students a chance to meet and interview veterans about their experiences, as well as issues relating to veterans and to make a short film about both.
After brainstorming about partner organizations, I reached out to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), an amazing not-for-profit organization who are helping to serve the over 2.2 million new veterans returning from Iraq and/or Afghanistan. We pitched them our idea and they agreed to have us down to their office in Manhattan so that our students could meet with staff/veterans and film their interviews.
The students spent Tuesday of this week researching one issue relating to veterans (PTSD, physical disabilities, unemployment/homelessness and the new GI Bill), developing questions for their interviews and gathering information and photographs that could be used in their "mini-docs." We spent almost two hours at IAVA on Wednesday interviewing the veterans before finishing up at school today editing the films and having a pizza party/premiere.
The last few days were fantastic. In full disclosure, I often dread Explore Week because it can be a lot of work during a time of year when you're starting to feel a bit burned out. However at the end of Explore Week the last two years, I was grateful for the experience that I was able to have with the students at my school. Service learning not only allows students to get out of the classroom (it such a pleasure to see that student who drives you crazy in the classroom excel outside of a traditional setting) but it also allows them to learn by doing and see the amazing work that is happening in our greater community. The students that I worked with did a tremendous job researching, creating and editing their films and they also learned a lot about the issues facing the brave men and women who serve our country so proudly.
If you have the time, please check out the students work at the links below (Blogger took way too long to load the video directly on the blog) and check out the great work that is being done at IAVA on their website www.iava.org
Finally, if you ever get the opportunity please thank a veteran and never forget what they do for all of us.
Film #1: PTSD (click the title)
Film #2: Physical Disabilities (click the title)
Film #3: The GI Bill (click the title)
Film #4: Unemployment/Homelessness (click the title)
After brainstorming about partner organizations, I reached out to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), an amazing not-for-profit organization who are helping to serve the over 2.2 million new veterans returning from Iraq and/or Afghanistan. We pitched them our idea and they agreed to have us down to their office in Manhattan so that our students could meet with staff/veterans and film their interviews.
The students spent Tuesday of this week researching one issue relating to veterans (PTSD, physical disabilities, unemployment/homelessness and the new GI Bill), developing questions for their interviews and gathering information and photographs that could be used in their "mini-docs." We spent almost two hours at IAVA on Wednesday interviewing the veterans before finishing up at school today editing the films and having a pizza party/premiere.
The last few days were fantastic. In full disclosure, I often dread Explore Week because it can be a lot of work during a time of year when you're starting to feel a bit burned out. However at the end of Explore Week the last two years, I was grateful for the experience that I was able to have with the students at my school. Service learning not only allows students to get out of the classroom (it such a pleasure to see that student who drives you crazy in the classroom excel outside of a traditional setting) but it also allows them to learn by doing and see the amazing work that is happening in our greater community. The students that I worked with did a tremendous job researching, creating and editing their films and they also learned a lot about the issues facing the brave men and women who serve our country so proudly.
If you have the time, please check out the students work at the links below (Blogger took way too long to load the video directly on the blog) and check out the great work that is being done at IAVA on their website www.iava.org
Finally, if you ever get the opportunity please thank a veteran and never forget what they do for all of us.
Film #1: PTSD (click the title)
Film #2: Physical Disabilities (click the title)
Film #3: The GI Bill (click the title)
Film #4: Unemployment/Homelessness (click the title)
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