The thought of punishing students for not following through did not sit well in my stomach. My students, dumbfounded and even angry, would eye me as only about a third of the class actually stood to recite the pledge. Is she actually going to write my name down? I would quickly change the subject, unable to take sides--I felt subjected to the authority of the principal yet felt wrong to go through with such an order. They were never even taught the meaning of the pledge and this practice was never instilled in them before.
After reading some war poetry by Claude McKay and Langston Hughes with my poetry classes, I decided to wrap up the unit by writing to a soldier who was actually in the forefront of war.
A friend currently serving in Afghanistan graciously forwarded me the names of some of the soldiers he was serving with and each student chose to write to one. Their letters evolved from simple Thank Yous to deep, heartfelt letters writing about their own "battles" here in Philadelphia and expressing their appreciation to those fighting for them on the other side of the globe. It's been a while, if not the first time, that students have written hand-written letters--not surprising considering the social media-ridden generation of their days, so it was doubly refreshing to see them write raw letters with pen or pencil in hand..quietly writing to an unknown soldier and, in the process, making a new friend.
What I didn't expect was the loudspeaker to abruptly interrupt the peace in my classroom. It all took me by surprise.
No, not the loudspeaker. The kids.
They put their pencils down, and I could see them contemplating the flag that was plastered to the front of my classroom wall. I could see them shift a little in their seats. And then, for the first time, I could count on my one hand how many were still seated.
Because well, nearly all of my students stood up. Right hand across their chest, they stood for their comrades in Afghanistan. They stood for Private Thomas, Lieutenant Wolfe, Sergeant Kang, and Captain Bowen. Their actions now stood for something...for someone.
I was a given a glimpse of what it meant to teach through the heart.
Lord, teach me.
Show me.
Help us to Love You and Your People in room 209.
