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Students, Please Stand Up: Your Voice Needs To Be Heard

3/23/2014

19 Comments

 
Driving back from the annual CUE Conference in Palm Springs, I had time to reflect.  A one hour drive meant that all of that knowledge I received over the weekend could start to sink in, get processed and sorted out.  As I began to dictate my reflective blog post about the conference into my phone, recounting all of the interactions that were made and highlighting some of the more memorable moments, it got real.  Like, really real.

Understand this- I loved a lot of the sessions and I'll reflect about that later.  I loved the #CAedChat meetup, the CUE Rockstar Manhattan Beach meetup, the breakfast with Vaudrey and Butler, the hallway conversations, and the fireside chats, but something else punched me square in the emotional face.

When I used to live in the Palm Springs area, Taqueria San Miguel was the place to go. Truly authentic and amazing Mexican food, ice cold frosty tantalizing salty crisp beverages, and a wait staff that'll rock your socks. Yeah, go there. You're welcome in advance.  So I took my group of friends there, just like a good local should.  The dinner was good; no, it was great.  The conversation was solid. Then, just like it always seems to happen in that area, it happened - two former students walked in.

Both of these girls were in my classroom at important benchmarks of my life. Kayla, now a senior, was there when my oldest son was born.  Julie, now a freshman, was there for my last full year of teaching. Their parents are phenomenal and should get interviewed on how to raise high quality people. The sisters have that personality that make you enjoy being a teacher. They have hilarious laughs, are obedient and intelligent, and genuinely care about their futures and the people around them, regardless of who it is.

Immediately after seeing them, I left the group of teachers to go say hello. We spend 180 hours with these kids and develop a relationship that will never go away. I will always want to follow up with my students to see how their lives are going. Kayla needs help with Calculus (who DOESN'T???) and Julie is going to the beach for the summer (woohoo!). I couldn't be more proud of these two young ladies.  They weren't here to see me, so we ended the conversation and they went to dinner with their parents, but I didn't.

In my head, the decision of leaving the classroom rocked me. 


Did I make the right decision to leave? After all, I was that excited to catch up with former students. I will never have that type of bond again as an ed tech coach. Was this a bad decision?  

Holding back emotion, my former seat was calling me and I heeded, but it wasn't the same. The rest of the time there, it was an internal battle. Not just Julie and Kayla, but so many young men and women who I had the honor of calling my student flashed through my head like an Animoto movie in fast forward. 

Before we left, I had to get a picture.  This was probably a TERRIBLE idea, although I wouldn't have traded it for the world, because of what Julie said- "Mr Stevens, you shouldn't have left teaching; you were our best math teacher. I loved math because of your class". Ouch. Even typing this out sucks. Well, we got our picture, I shook the hands of their parents and thanked them for being great people, and left.  Couldn't take this any longer.

Reunited @Jstevens009 #Worldsbestmathteacher pic.twitter.com/bk0igzuoqo

— Julie Cooper (@CooperJulie4) March 23, 2014
Driving a percentage of the crew back to the hotel after dinner, that run-in with my past lingered. Forget all of the doubts I had about leaving the classroom. Forget all of the hesitation about leaving the desert. I really, really, REALLY thrived off of the relationships that I had with students and loved hearing their stories, their successes, and their aspirations.  Even Isaiah chimed in when Julie shared our picture with her friends on the Twitters!

@Jstevens009 I sure did, We need a class reunion! I'm doing good! @CooperJulie4

— Mr.Clutch (@IsaiahRoss13) March 23, 2014
All of this, aside from the emotion, led me to start thinking about the CUE conference again. Not just the conference, but what most of us are in the field of education for.  Sure, pep talks are nice, but what is their lasting effect?  I've got nothing negative to say about LeVar Burton, have more respect for Dan Meyer than many, and can appreciate the global opportunities that Sal Khan has established (even if I don't agree with everything).  However, I've got an idea and it all stems from this run-in at Taqueria San Miguel.  

If we go to a conference to find ways to improve the educational experience of our students, wouldn't it be nice to hear how we can do that from the students themselves?

Seriously though, think about it. Three adults who aren't sitting in desks and aren't thinking about what their future will hold after the next grade humbly stood in front of 5,000 educators and shared anecdotes, statistics, and ideas about what we can do to improve education.  Not only that, but they (more than likely) made almost as much as I make in an entire month during their one hour speech.  To me, this is absurd.  A guy like Jon Corippo would do a fantastic job and be able to share stories from "the trenches", and he should be speaking nationally about the work he has done, but I've got something else in mind...

Linda Yollis, the queen of elementary student blogging in my opinion, has her students create blog posts and share out their learning with the world.  How cool would it be to have them share about how Mrs. Yollis' class is what every elementary room should look like? Bring the kleenex and your friends, folks.

David Theriault, the master of high school student blogs in my opinion, has his students create their own blogs and share their learning out with the world.  How powerful would it be for a student in one of his classes to stand before 5,000+ and reflect on the previous years of schooling and offer up ideas to remedy some of our gaps in education.

I get what Sal is doing, but check out Club Academia, a website started by students, for students, for free.  Wow, the power of having Shilpa get up and talk about how she and her classmates started this site to support each other and their classmates would inspire anyone, let alone computer-using educators attending a conference.

Maybe it is Julie and Isaiah getting up and talking about the power that a good (and not-so-good) teacher has on defining the educational future of our students.  Julie would make you laugh hysterically as she giggles, snorts, and stomps, while Isaiah has a cool and calm demeanor when speaking to a crowd (not sure about 5,000+, but I'm sure he'd do fine).

This list could go on for quite some time and I'm certain that I'm missing out on some epic mentions of students doing incredible work, but that's the point. There are students out there that we don't even know about, positively affecting his/her community in a way that we should be hearing about.  We need to hear about this.  Instead of paying a king's ransom for a keynote speaker, have a student do it and offer them a scholarship in lieu of payment.  For one, you look like one heck of a philanthropist and two, you're digging deep into the educational system and going after what really matters - the relationship that we have with our students.  With that, students, please stand up: your voice needs to be heard.
After a long and eventful conference, I am grateful to surround myself with good people.  A great wife, two good kids, a loving family, awesome friends, invaluable educators, and, as I truly realized this weekend, the most inspirational game-changers alive- my students.

Happy Fishing
19 Comments
Amy Fadeji link
3/23/2014 02:55:59 pm

This was the best blog I've read in MONTHS John Stevens. I know this battle you live with...I miss that deep student connection as well. It's raw. Your new position is important. A lot of people need to hear your message and feel your sincerity. You will still find ways to genuinely connect with students, teachers, administrators, because that's who you are. You will continue touching people's lives and for those reasons alone, I feel lucky to call you a friend. ~Fadeji

Reply
John link
3/28/2014 03:41:51 am

Thank you Amy, for the kind words and the newfound friendship. I will work my hardest to continue those relationships and connections, even though it is in a different perspective.

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Paula Torres
3/23/2014 05:08:42 pm

A great blog John! I battle those thoughts all the time when I think about stepping into something else (only I keep fighting those thoughts off). Just know this: the new job DOES mean something to kids. It means that you will help colleagues like me who want to know how to do all the cool things that keep kids interested, motivated and learning. It means that what I get excited about learning about and transferring to kids in my classroom will rub off (hopefully) onto my colleagues who seem so set in their ways and resist against ANYTHING new or exciting for kids. So all the kids that both I and THEY will be affecting NEED YOU to do a great job at your new job!! You are still affecting kids...more of them than you can imagine!

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John link
3/28/2014 03:43:35 am

Paula,

Thank you for this perspective. I have always wanted to influence MORE students and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. The hardest parts were 1) stepping out mid-year and 2) realizing that I won't be getting those interactions that I used to. Now I get to live vicariously through classrooms like yours as I support you and learn with you!

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Michael Simkins link
3/24/2014 04:03:33 am

John, a very moving piece. I don't often read anything this long all the way through anymore, but you hooked me and I read every word. Thank you for taking the time to write it! And I echo Amy's words. You still have students, just different ones!

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John link
3/28/2014 03:44:31 am

Michael,

Thank you for the response. I can relate to the reading of blogs all the way through and I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

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Jennifer Kloczko
3/24/2014 10:29:21 am

Hi John,
Great post. I think about this a lot. We got back at 11 pm Saturday night and had WASC the next morning. But I got to see some of my students at the Kings game last night- loved seeing their faces! Today, my first day back, I had to miss the parking lot drop off because of a WASC meeting and I was so sad- it is one of my favorite things in my day! You are a great teacher, period. Your passion shows. I was so happy to be in the front row of your session with Jessica. You are still a teacher, my friend!
Whatever you're doing, don't stop!
Jennifer

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John link
3/28/2014 03:45:57 am

Jennifer,

I cannot thank you enough for your response. I appreciated you being there, even FRONT ROW for the augmented reality session! Since meeting you in Tahoe, I have grown even more fond of the work that you are doing as an administrator. Keep up the great work- we need a lot more people like you!

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TJ Fassler
3/24/2014 10:38:56 am

John, agree with so much of what you said. I'll simply be switching schools this year (from SoCal to NorCal) and know that losing the day to day interactions with my current and former students is going to be a huge blow. I do want to say that you definitely are still teaching as I was blown away in your session in how you presented your information and yourself as a presenter and more so, an educator. If I get the chance next year, I'd love to take a pic (and also could use help in calculus). On a more serious note, I love the idea of student speakers and practiced periodically holding one-on-one conferences with my 4th graders for self-reflection and on me and my class as well. I also tried incorporating google form responses from middle schoolers about things that were and were not working (in their opinion) as it related to my world history class.
I'm just getting into following twitter and exploring blogs, but you set a great precedent with this, or a standard that may not be reached otherwise.

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John link
3/28/2014 03:49:23 am

Those day-to-day interactions were the roughest transition that I made. Even moving from the desert to the Inland Empire was a shift because I couldn't catch up with former students I had been around and the 7 years of history that was there. Oh well, this is life, right? TJ, I'll stop to take a picture any time!

The student speakers are important, regardless of what age they are. We get caught up in thinking that we need to hear from people with PHDs and CEOs, but they're so far removed from the inner workings of a classroom. Your students deserve a voice!

I don't know about a standard, but I appreciate the kind words. Welcome to twitter and blogging. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

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Kenneth Durham link
3/24/2014 12:44:26 pm

Wow! Great job man. I also know the struggle that you are dealing with, but I can tell you that you made the right choice. I believe with all of my being that the answer to today's educational concerns is people and relationships. With people like you and those you mentioned in your post and those that have commented above and below, we can help every student and educator connect. We can transform our educational system into one that fulfills the promise that was made in the 1600's when it was first created. Thank you #teamundershirt

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John link
3/28/2014 03:50:41 am

Kenneth,

Thank you! You are spot on with the resolution to our concerns. The better our relationships our, the better our products will become.

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Butler link
3/25/2014 12:23:44 pm

Well said sir. Students miss you probably even more than you miss them. You're making waves, and inspiring others to do the same. Your ability to stay grounded while transitioning roles is just as amazing as your passion to better the world of education. Your idea to include students in the professional development of educators is awesome. Who better to give feedback on the experience than those that are at the center of it.
Well said.
-Butler

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John link
3/28/2014 03:51:43 am

Jed,

It's been great getting to become friends. I'm looking forward to the cool things that we get to create along the way!

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Sam Patterson link
3/27/2014 09:07:42 am

Remember every classroom has a door, you can walk back in anytime. :)

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John link
3/28/2014 03:53:06 am

Sam,

So simple, yet so complex, yet so true. In your role, how often do you get to walk back through that door? I imagine it's quite a bit, but don't know.

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Tania
3/28/2014 01:38:09 am

Relationships with students are so important to have success. My principal once told me to always find some way to make a connection with my students - especially the ones that have difficulty behaving or who have difficulty achieving. Making a connection lets those kids know you are interested in their lives - and they open up to you more. I don't know if a position outside the classroom is in the future for me - I can't every imagine being out of the classroom because I enjoy working with the kids so much. I still enjoy getting visits from former students or hearing updates on how they are doing - those are the moments that you feel most rewarded. I hear the occasional sad story and every now and I then I wonder if their lives are changing for the better. We take on this job for a lot of reasons, but the reward we get from it is something that we often don't aniticipate: it's a feeling - of pride, of disappointment, of curiosity, of relief - knowing this student who was with you for only 9 months, that you helped to shape, that you watched grow, that you still remember as being a little kid in your class - is experiencing success (and sometimes failures) in some small part thanks to you. It's a great feeling - the kind that stick with you years later! I have a lot of friends that are out of the classroom who say they miss teaching, but they are making a difference outside the classroom too. We need more of those people - the ones who have "been there" to help us still in the classroom continue to make connections and build relationships - people like you!

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John link
3/28/2014 03:54:16 am

Tania,

Thank you so much for your response. It is people like you that make this job so much fun, going out to support you and learn from you and the cool things that you are doing with students. Thank you for being an inspiration!

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Wesley Batcheller
4/9/2014 09:16:33 am

John,

I didnt' realize that we both are missing the classroom so much. I too have questioned leaving. I find it interesting that I learned so much more about your perspective on this issue by reading this versus our discussions in person. I am impressed with your honesty and I deeply respect your reflection of the CUE conference. I am building a weebly blog as we speak and this post is part of the inspiration. I now understand why you blog about your professional experiences, you can reach and inspire a multitude of professionals.

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