Community Map Reflections and My Identity as an Urban Educator

It is impossible not to notice the large empty lot that extends along the east side of National Teachers Academy. Despite the dry, neglected appearance, I first assumed the open field must be part of the NTA campus, sure to be better maintained during the school year, allowing for soccer games and cartwheels. This empty lot is not a part of the NTA campus. It belongs to the city and signs along the fence forbid trespassing. What a waste to have an expansive space, so rare in the otherwise urban surroundings, untouchable by the students who are instead crowded on the playground during their recess.

When you look at National Teachers Academy (NTA) it is easy to notice all the resources. It seems that there is top quality everything: gymnasium, music room, iPads, swimming pool, cafe. And yet where is the space for children to just be children, for children to talk and play and interact in a creative, genuine, unstructured way? Well the playground of course! Recess is the outlet for all the craziness and wiles of youth! After a couple weeks of experiencing the school day at NTA, I’ve wondered if recess is where we are under-serving our students. I believe that recess may be an opportunity for our school to do better in giving students what they need and deserve. Not just as scholars, but as developing individuals in the larger society. There are playground equipment, jump ropes and hula-hoops, and a large green lawn. What the students lack is time. Students are shuffled in and out of a 15 minutes recess. To clarify, I should say 15 minutes on a good day. On one day transitions from class took so long that children arrived at recess with only about 3 minutes of unstructured playtime at their disposal.

What can I do as a teacher to give my students the full benefits of recess? I will not hold recess over their head as a reward for good behavior. They will get recess everyday, and they will know how much I value their recess time. We will get to recess on time because they deserve and need it. I will not resent the rowdiness and energy that students bring back with them from the playground. I will occasionally get ahead in my classroom prep work so that I can join my students on the playground to enjoy my own dose of fresh air and physical activity. I will show interest in what my students do at recess. I will ask them about recess and I will admire them for their playfulness and problem solving. When upsets and disagreements occur on the playground I will be sensitive my student’s challenges I will encourage them in thinking of their own solutions. At National Teachers Academy we have something we call the NTA way. It says that NTA students respect others, they respect the environment, and they respect learning. I can incorporate this school culture into their behavior on the playground. I can remind them that they are exceptional students and exceptional people, and that they carry that with them wherever they go, including recess. Lastly, I will be an advocate for recess at my school and for Chicago Public Schools in general. I will emphasis in my conversations with other staff and with administration that I value recess. I expect recess to be a mandated part of CPS school days, but if the right to recess were to come into question again I would speak on behalf of my students for their recess time.