A proud day. My students graduate! →[More:]

Yesterday, Jon and I went to my high school's second graduation. It's truly a thrill to see the students reach this point, with many of them off to fine colleges in the fall, including the University of Delaware, Penn State, Johnson & Wales, Fordham, and various branches of SUNY & CUNY. Many will be the first in their families to attend college. It was a great ceremony all around, and I was so happy Jon got to meet some of my students and colleagues (even if it cut into his porch time :->).

I counted, and I've taught 32 of the 48 graduates (we're one of several small schools housed within what was one large, former high school; breaking up big, failing high schools of 2000 or more into several smaller schools within the same building has become a New York City tradition. It's been modestly successful in our case, since the graduation rate has gone from a dismal 20% to about 60% (the city average is 50%) in five years; needless-to-say, we could always do better.)

In any case, many of these students have overcome a lot to reach this point. Many relocated as children and adolescents from countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Guyana (a student's mother was a witness to Jonestown as a child), Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and others. Others have dealt with family chaos, violence, poverty, foster care. I couldn't be prouder of them, and I wish them every success in the future. They've earned it.

Sometimes I think of leaving my high school; as much as things have improved, it's still a daily struggle to teach in the Bronx. Sometimes I think it would be easier to transfer to a more "selective" school (some city high schools get to pick and choose their students, based on eighth grade proficiency tests and entrance exams), but then, I don't know. I like the students where I am, and I think maybe I make more of a difference there. A lot of teachers are leaving, though; even our founding principal took a job as a superintendent in Long Island. Guess I'll take it a year at a time. I do like the thought of teaching at LaGuardia School for the Arts (the Fame school), if they'd have me. With my background in music and creative writing, I think it'd be a good fit. We'll see. For now, I think I'll stay put.

They've tentatively given me juniors and AP seniors again for next year, so that's a plus (freshmen give me shingles). And I have the whole summer to rest and recoop. Maybe we'll squeeze in a trip to the Jersey shore again this summer, or Key West, if we really wanna splurge. For now, a celebration mojito at Fatty's later will do. Not so bad, all in all.