Leaving Finland

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Lake Jyvasjarvi I have never lived anywhere for 5 months other than Jyvaskyla, Finland. As my Fulbright journey concludes, there is so much to still digest. It will take months, if not years, to truly assimilate all the learning. Before I left Southern California, I wrote about the what I would miss the most from home and what I  looked forward to experiencing in Finland. It is safe to say I met my goals. Top 7 Goals 1. Discussing Education Helsinki Workshop Through professional development programs, Fulbright Finland connected teachers with scholars and researchers, for the purpose of putting inquisitive minds together. The Making Democracies Resilient to Modern Threats seminar provided participants with fascinating research and presentations. 2. Nordic Model Bus station in Espoo What does an efficient and earnest country look like?  It looks like Finland. Yes, people pay higher taxes, but get so much in return. I for one appreciated the well-maintained ro

Farewell, Ms. Sanlin

Teacher of the Year is Inspired and Enlightened by Talented, Laid-Off New Teacher




Dear Ms. Sanlin,
My mind is having a hard time accepting the reality of what is to come in less than three weeks. You, a superbly talented new teacher, who has been a source of invigoration and inspiration to me and fellow colleagues for the last two years, have chosen not to linger in limbo and have accepted a teaching position in New York City next year.  When you received your Reduction in Force notice on March 15th, I know you hoped it would be rescinded, and that the District would realize that you cannot decimate a struggling school by laying off 23 of its 112 committed teachers.  This is, however, what happened and it means that 200 students in our hard to staff school in South Central Los Angeles, will be deprived of the magic of your teaching and your vibrant personality next school year. 

I remember your first year of teaching (last year), when we shared a class of difficult students.  One, in particular, posed a plethora of challenges.  I was at my wits end with interventions, when you calmly turned around to look at me at a meeting and told me of your surprise home visit to the student's house.  You had kept a minute by minute log of the student's egregious behavior in class and proceeded to recite it to her gathered family.  "At 2:21 pm, Sara* got out of her seat and hit Diego in the head.  2:23 p.m.  After I isolated Sara in the front row, she threw her notebook at Mario.  2:27 p.m.  Sara shouts profanity across the room...,"  Sara's mouth dropped as you recited these facts to her parents because she never believed a teacher, much less a new one, would ever dare visit her home.  In your class, Sara succumbed to your authority.  In mine, she hovered over the acceptable behavior line.

Your classroom management was instant.  You immediately picked up on the nuances that linked motivation and performance.  You knew how to engage the students while upholding high standards of student conduct and civility, even though you were not assigned the Honors classes.  This allowed you to attack the California Standards in US History in a planned, methodical way (although you had been told they would be impossible to cover in a year) and taught them in-depth, with complexity.  Your students, by the end of the year, were performing on-par with the Honors students.  You not only covered all of the material, you infused it with literature, music, and primary sources.  When I asked you where you came up with such great ideas, you answered "its in the standards."  

You brought our department into the 21st century by establishing a google group where we could post updates, pacing plans, and lesson ideas.  You showed us how we could have a common calendar and receive email updates when we were off track.  Thanks to you, the chronic problem of communication at a three track school was resolved.

You taught your science class with the same creativity and intensity, and managed to conduct several labs that involved students handling hazardous materials, combustibles, and possible projectiles.  Not once was there a behavior problem.  In fact, you knew how to motivate students to prove to you that they were responsible enough to handle these objects, and you established clear rules of behavior during these times.

As an African-American teacher, you were a role model to young girls who idolized your wardrobe and were intrigued by your "proper" language.  You had the teachers laughing in the lunchroom when you described how your students would sneak by your classroom, dragging their friends along so they could hear how you spoke.  I'm sure it wasn't just your language that attracted them.  It was also your quick wit, your tech-savviness, and your ability to not fall for the obligatory tricks they will play on new teachers.  

Our school has marched in front of Beaudry, leafleted every Friday for three months, called, emailed, and faxed our board members to no avail.  You and 22 other talented teachers will be unwillingly removed from our school site on July 1st.  I knew you would not, and should not, leave your fate in the hands of people who have admitted themselves to not know the solution to this overwhelming economic crisis.  The money the charter school in New York spent to fly you out for an interview was money well spent.  They have stolen the light of our future from under our noses, and we were powerless to stop it from happening.  Tracie Sanlin, my esteemed colleague, I thank you for your two years of service to L.A. Academy.  Your students will never forget you, and neither will I.
L Martha Infante
*not student's real name

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