Classroom Intoxication
Classroom intoxication: That's what I called it. My term for the teacher's high.
I taught middle school for eleven years in the New York City Public Schools, and there were many moments of classroom intoxication. More than anything else, because of all I had to contend with as a teacher in that broken world, and because of all the bullshit I was forced to endure and accept, it was what kept me going and coming back for more.
Classroom intoxication. When everything in the classroom clicked, when everything worked better than expected on every level. A harmonica convergence in a microcosm.
And it resulted in a feeling and a rush -- like no other. An unsurpassed euphoria because at those moments, everyone was learning, succeeding, excelling, feeling safe and having fun. In school. In class.
Sadly, my instances of classroom intoxication occurred with far less frequency during my last few years. I was stymied by a principal who lacked vision and creativity. I was handcuffed by a system that couldn't see students as learners and people, but only as test scores on scan sheets. And I was overcome by sheer numbers. Far too many students, far too few resources, and far too many petty and personal agendas that ignored the needs of middle school students.
Over these next weeks, as this school year comes to end, I'll will be sharing some of my fondest moments of classroom intoxication. To my former students, I know many of you will remember these too.
I taught middle school for eleven years in the New York City Public Schools, and there were many moments of classroom intoxication. More than anything else, because of all I had to contend with as a teacher in that broken world, and because of all the bullshit I was forced to endure and accept, it was what kept me going and coming back for more.
Classroom intoxication. When everything in the classroom clicked, when everything worked better than expected on every level. A harmonica convergence in a microcosm.
And it resulted in a feeling and a rush -- like no other. An unsurpassed euphoria because at those moments, everyone was learning, succeeding, excelling, feeling safe and having fun. In school. In class.
Sadly, my instances of classroom intoxication occurred with far less frequency during my last few years. I was stymied by a principal who lacked vision and creativity. I was handcuffed by a system that couldn't see students as learners and people, but only as test scores on scan sheets. And I was overcome by sheer numbers. Far too many students, far too few resources, and far too many petty and personal agendas that ignored the needs of middle school students.
Over these next weeks, as this school year comes to end, I'll will be sharing some of my fondest moments of classroom intoxication. To my former students, I know many of you will remember these too.