When the Outside Blows In

According to the Washington Post, DC's new mayor, Adrian Fenty, has promised $80,000 and the services of two city organizations to help cut down on violence in two Anacostia schools.

I think everyone wants to see something done to decrease the statistics at Anacostia High School. "This school year, there have been 102 reported incidents at Anacostia, including fights, threats, robberies and thefts," the article states. And the groups Fenty is bringing in have had some success working with students to find the root causes of violence in schools.

But what strikes me about this article and the project designed to solve to this problem is the absence of teachers in the solution. Certainly trained counselors can make a difference, and safety patrols in the hallways are likely to cut down on fights, but are teachers being trained to deal with what happens when the world outside their classrooms blows in?

Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is very clear on the point that the ability and desire to learn is only possible when basic and social needs are met. It matters little that they're being met in school hallways and counseling offices if they're not also being met inside the classroom.

These community groups should share their strategies with the staff at Anacostia and Johnson Middle School (the other school involved in the project.) And all the adults in the building should work together to make sure the changes implemented outside the classrooms are also happening inside them.

Teachers spend more time during the day with students than most other adults in their lives. When teachers make their curriculum relevant to the lives of their students and interesting to learn - this alone will cut down on the discipline problems in the classroom. Teachers are a necessary component in the success of this project.

If they are supported in their efforts to build trusting relationships, share responsibility for learning, respect student differences, and celebrate each student's unique gifts - Teachers will be part of the solution to what's troubling these schools.