Books and Chairs

“Mr. Alarcon, can you come to the security desk and cover me? Security was called to the music room.” 

I heard this message over the radio and a sharp feeling came over me.

Now, I really had to do a lot of work but I stopped what I was doing and went to the security station in my school and told the security guard, “I’ll go.”

Before I reached the classroom, I dropped off a student who was sent to my office for a “break” and then headed to the music room. I guessed correctly who it was because no more than 30 minutes earlier I was called into that student’s classroom. Apparently, this boy was having a rough day. 

When I entered the music room, books were on the floor and two chairs overturned. Thank Goodness no one was hurt. The boy was underneath the teacher’s desk. The music teacher and the rest of the class sat silently as they observed me interact with their classmate. 

“Hi!”

No answer. 

“How are you?” 

No answer again. 

“Please come out from under the desk. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

No response. 

“I don’t want to hold you again.  You don’t want me to do that, do you?”

Yep. This was not the first time I had been called to speak to him.  And ... yes ... I had removed him from class several times.

This time he listened and came out from under the teacher's desk.  

Then I complimented him for listening to me and told him he had to pick up the books and chairs. 

“Come, I will help you with the books,” I said instantly.

As he started putting the books away I looked at the books again.  I saw them differently.  I saw him differently.  Then, this feeling of purpose sunk inside me as if I was weighted down. I felt God. I guess I found him in that moment. 

I was supposed to “be in it” with that student. I was supposed to help him put the books away and pick up the chair. I was supposed to spend time with him in his anxiety and stress; not add to it. Nor judge him for it. 

Educators face many challenges today and one of them involves students with special needs. There are many classifications and conditions but one of the most perplexing ones include high functioning students who are easily distracted and defiant. Finding the right setting, supports and staff is critical for their success. 

My interventions are not always as enlightening or purposeful but this time it took me deeper. I felt called to take a picture of the books and reflect upon what I do when called to “be” with a student in a challenging situation:

What do I say?

What do I do?

How much patience do I offer?

How much patience should I offer?

What can I do to help? 

Am I supposed to have all the answers?

I don’t know how the student will do this year.  He is capable and bright.  Clearly, he is experiencing some challenges. My other concern is how his classmates are seeing things. How do they feel?  I know many are supportive because they are friendly towards him and treat him well.  Yet, they are patient and understanding with his struggles.  

My final concern is about the adults.  How do we stay positive when children are experiencing real challenges in a school setting?  How do we promote peace, stability, consistency and high expectations with so much aggression and physical outbursts?  I have so many questions, probably more than answers.  Still, I hope like a little kid that there will be some sort of magic toy or candy that will make all those challenges go away.

Or, perhaps I am just too soft and kind.  My heart is big and accepting.  I entered education to serve others, not impart my will upon them or show others how much I know.  So, if I display sensitivity and kindness to children who face serious challenges it’s probably because I may be one of the few people whom they know that is kind and accepting of them.

Education is all about relationships. Picking up the books and chairs on this day was just one more thing I did with this student. I am grateful for being granted a deeper awareness and purpose. That’s part of the calling: being with students no matter how positive or challenging the situation may be. 

How do you spend time with your students?

How much do you offer?

What insights do you have about challenging student situations?

Looking forward to growing and sharing with you!

#GoingDeep

Show Your Greatness! Serve Others.

Today, it seems easier to blame, use curse words, and hate those who are different because of their race, culture, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, appearance, etc. 


It is so much harder to show love and respect. Why? Because it forces you to hold yourself to a higher standard. To self-impose this higher standard does not show weakness but strength of moral character. It compels you to treat another person as your equal: with kindness, care and dignity. You do this not to give yourself accolades or credit for being a "good" human being, you do it because the other person is a human being. Period. 


People like Jesus, Gandhi, MLK, Jr., Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa showed this "higher standard" of love not only in their words, but through their actions. Some paid the highest price with their lives. It compels me to think of family and friends who serve in the military, law enforcement, as first responders, in the medical field, and in education whom on a daily basis give of themselves without counting the cost. These people are "real" servants.  They have answered the call and show it in their actions. 

If our country truly wants to be "great again," it would be wise for everyone to read MLK, Jr.'s "Drum Major Instinct" sermon. King Jr. states, "True greatness comes not by favoritism but by fitness." Later he continues ... "And so Jesus gave us a new norm of greatness. If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Amen) That's a new definition of greatness." 

It seems like today in America we are being called to serve ourselves instead of others.  All you have to do is listen to what is coming out of the White House or follow the current president's Twitter account.  However, I know that we, as Americans, know better. 

Today, I am blessed to be born in this country and am always thankful for my immigrant family who came to the United States for a better life and to contribute to this society. I am even more inspired to fight against hatred, bigotry, and racism that people, including the President of the United States, show towards many people whom I call my:  

• family
• friends
• neighbors 
• parishioners
• students
• parents
• co-workers
• parish priests
• fellow human beings 

America IS great. It is "great" when it serves and when it struggles. It's even greater when it grows from these struggles. That's what I see going on today: a struggle to grow in the right direction. That process of seeking/finding/getting towards the right direction is messy (and even violent at times) BUT it has to include our principles, our foundation, and on a tradition of and constant fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness ... and justice for all. 

We may not agree. That's o.k. but we do need to be civil and respectful. 

Finally, on this MLK, Jr. holiday, show your greatness: serve others, especially those who cannot repay you. You might surprise yourself at what you find. 

By the way, service is constant and not just one day. You can honor King's dream by making service a part of your life and who you are.

Going Deep

When I was a kid I, remember summer vacations at Wildwood, NJ. Just the name of the beach town made it seem adventurous. The boardwalk and delicious goodies also made the time “down the Jersey shore” a memorable one. 

I didn't know how to swim back in the mid 70’s. I was too little and afraid of the waves. One thing my big brother Dave taught me was to hold my nose and crouch down so the waves would not knock me down. It was soooo much fun and nerve-racking. But, I was only able to walk into the water waist high. 

It was a lot of fun going underneath the waves and then jumping out of the water. I could feel the force and power of the waves as it swept my long hair. Sometimes I didn’t crouch low enough and the waves would tumble me over.  Still, I would jump up  to catch my breath. But then a new wave would come. After a while of the same, I would tire and have to get out. 

My brother didn't share in the ducking-underneath-the-waves activities.  He always swam out far and deep. He'd dive straight into the waves and swim way out away from us. 

Thinking of the beach and waves reminds me how deep we go as educators. 

How much do we really experience our school? Our students? Our colleagues? Our parents? And the surrounding community?  Going deep is the only way. 

I see my school as going to the beach. My office is where I lay down my beach towel and things. As soon as I step out of the main office (comfort zone), my feet are in the water. 

If I want to avoid the waves and crouch down, I walk around the building, say hello from outside the classrooms, and show my face during lunchtime or in the playground. I may even “pop in” a meeting or two, sit and ask one question to seem interested. This is playing it safe and being compliant. 

If I want to emulate my brother and dive right into the waves and into the ocean, deep and far, I would:

-bring a change of clothes and play with my students during recess

-serve as a substitute while a teacher has a parent or school meeting 

- monitor a table during lunch time 

- plan a lesson and teach it

-listen to children when they speak, especially when they are in trouble or troubled by someone or something

- walk into every classroom at least once a day, everyday 

-make “good calls” home 

- check in with my struggling students (academic, behavior, etc.) everyday

-call the state foster parent agency on behalf of a student so s/he can receive much needed therapy

- answer phones for the secretary and cover her duty when she goes to lunch

-attend a parent teacher organization meeting

-ask tough questions of myself and my staff (what can we do better? What are we not doing? How can we improve?)

- serve as a bus assistant and do the route without expecting anything in return

- clean up a spill in the hallway or bathroom instead of calling the janitor

- write a letter for a parent/guardian so they can avoid being deported

-smile more

I can go on and on and on. 

Our family vacations at Wildwood were truly memorable and will always be engraved in my heart and mind.  I still remember the infamous waffle and ice cream sandwiches. It was my favorite treat after a long day at the shore. 

If I want to make my school memorable for my students and staff (myself included), I know I have to go deep and not stay in my comfort zone.  

Yes, I know going to the beach should be relaxing and not everyone goes to the beach to do the same things.  But then again, not everyone is called to be an educator and this “calling” involves taking risks and “going deep.” 

Go deep.  

You might surprise yourself what you find beyond the crashing waves.

How do you “go deep” as an educator?

What risks do you take?  

What have you discovered about yourself and those you serve?

What things might prevent you from “going deep?”

Looking forward to learning and growing with you!