DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

 



Recollections of an Early Schooling Experience

 

      I remember it as if it were yesterday. It was 1993 and I attended P.S. 328 Phillis Wheatley Elementary in Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY. It was my first year there and I was going to be in Kindergarten. I was between 5 and 6 years old at the time; and although I was very young I’d already experienced some life lessons.       

       

      Unfortunately, I was born in an abusive home and eventually a time came when my siblings and I were in the foster care system. I spent five years and three different foster care homes by the time I reached Kindergarten. As traumatic as it sounds; it’s what made me who I am now so I’m grateful for the experience.

 

      I wasn’t too thrilled to begin Kindergarten because I was exhausted from my foster care experience. As  well as adjusting to the knowledge of my biological mother and siblings. The only memories I had of them were faded in my subconscious at the time, so it took me a while to feel comfortable with them. But my Kindergarten teacher Mrs.Z was one of the best teachers I could remember. When I began Kindergarten it was as if some children already knew each other but me. I was definitely a loner as a child and didn’t get along well with certain children. Mainly the children who would bully me because of my religious hair cover or just because they bully anyone.

 

      Although I was a smart child, I did have behavior issues that I was aware of but did not care to fix. Such as following my own rules when I wanted to.  At that point in my life I felt like no one really understood me or cared. My kindergarten teacher Mrs.Z always found a way to make me feel accepted and loved. She would try to talk to me to find out why I got into a fight or why I didn’t want to participate. She would also tell me that  I was smart and could do what ever I put my mind to do. When she saw I was by myself not playing with the other children, she would come and ask me what’s wrong or how I was doing. Eventually, I became more social and made friends in other students. Of course, there were some students I never got along with because unfortunately they were truly bullies. From then on Kindergarten was exciting to me, and overall being a part of P.S 328 community. I spent every year on the honor roll and eventually had too many friends I didn’t need.

 

      I honestly went back to the school years later a few times to say hello to some old teachers I could never forget from Kindergarten to 6th grade. It saddened my heart when I went back and they told me Mrs.Z passed away; but she was def an elder and possibly in her 60’s when she was my teacher so I know it was her time to go and she’s in a better place. Most of my other favorite teachers were there and beyond excited to reconnect with me.



Reflections:

      This particular experience stands out to me the most because it was the first educational experience I actually had as a child, and it was a very traumatic time in my life as well. This experience has helped me mimic the same great behavior Mrs.Z and many of my favorite elementary school teachers have. There’s not a student a haven’t had that I don’t personally try to get to know. I have grown to love and admire each student I’ve had, especially the ones that are considered to be problematic. Whenever I witness a child needs more of my attention in school with work or personal, I try my best to help them. All of my elementary school teachers were all of different races and ethnicities and still educated me like their child and loved me the same. It also played a role in me having a great relationship with my son and being a great mother to him. This recollection definitely reminds me of the importance of knowing your students and being able to help them grow in all aspects of life. Allowing them to get the best educational experience.

     

        

 

     

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.