RAPSA publishes writings, including poetry, essays, and reflections, from educators working with at-promise students. Submit your work to info@rapsa.org.
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By Coleen ArmstrongOne afternoon, on impulse, I asked Kenny outright: “For how long have you pretended to be slow?”
“Since about the fourth grade,” he answered.
No hedging, no denial. Just his usual matter-of-fact grin.
I wasn’t really surprised. Kenny and I had been together long enough for communication without pretense. Still, I was shocked that his response was so automatic, almost as if he’d given the matter considerable thought.
Perhaps he had. He couldn’t have missed, after all, the chillingly apparent differences between himself and his classmates––his piqued interest when I spoke of European history, his level stare and thoughtful inquiries when I mentioned psychological terms like rationalization and passive-aggressive behavior. Both were in direct contrast to his peers’ stifled yawns.
Yes, he was bright––with a sharp perception and a delving curiosity. |
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After the Fire By Coleen ArmstrongWhen Chad told his parents that his fifteen-year-old girlfriend Mindy was pregnant, he thought his father would never stop yelling. For weeks all he heard were endless rants about responsibility, precautions, and stupidity.
While Chad certainly understood his father’s fury, he thought it a classic case of overreaction. He intended to do the right thing, after all––marry Mindy and find a job to help support both her and the baby. He’d also finish high school, then attend college part-time. Where was the problem? |
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By Coleen Armstrong Craig’s father was dying. He’d been sent home from the hospital, but was now bedridden. Craig had been absent from school for the past six weeks. Today he was back, hoping to salvage whatever was left of his quarter’s credit. We stood together in the hallway while the rest of his class worked on an assignment.
“It doesn’t look good,” I told him, scanning my grade book. “You know, with so little time left, you might be wiser just to work hard the last nine weeks and then be sure to pass the exam.” “You’re probably right.” Craig’s voice was flat, unemotional.
“How are you doing otherwise?”
He shook his head. “Not well.”
Some of Craig’s friends were giving him a rough time, he told me, razzing him about missing so many days, even insinuating that his father’s condition was a handy excuse to stay home. |
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Focus on LeadershipKelly Callahan, Site Leader/Principal for SIATech Albuquerque, has been selected as New Mexico Principal of the Year. Read the RAPSA interview to learn her strategies for leadership success. RAPSA Interview:
Focus on Leadership with Kelly Callahan, New Mexico Principal of the YearHow do you inspire your students and staff to want to achieve success? I believe I inspire by modeling the desire to achieve success. I have a very positive attitude and strong work ethic. By staying consistently focused on the students and their success, I find that the desire to succeed becomes a part of our daily norms. |
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By Coleen ArmstrongJerry came back to visit, just as I’d always predicted he would. The previous June he’d shaken his head, insisting that once graduated, he’d never darken Hamilton High’s halls again. But here he was.
“I just thought I’d stop in and see how y’all were doin,” he grinned.
He tiptoed to a back-row seat and sat listening intently (far more so, I noted, than he’d ever done as a student) to my opening remarks. Once the class discussion was underway I caught his eye. His expression was a mixture of intrigue and bewilderment.
The topic was teenage responsibility. What did young people owe their parents, teachers, employers? “As little as possible,” several kids shrugged. “We didn’t ask to be here.”
I let them ramble for a minute; then, instead of breaking in, I asked Jerry what he thought. He hesitated. “What I’ve learned about responsibility since graduation,” he said slowly, “would fill three books.” |
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