A TEACHER'S PRESENCE
A TEACHER'S PRESENCE
By Gabriela León
I have spent my career supporting students with special needs in daycares, schools, and homes across the bay area. Teaching social skills, practicing motor functions, and watching hours of baby shark is typical in my line of work. Most recently, I joined the team at an elementary school in Eastside San José. During my time here, I have been tasked with observing class, tracking data, and jumping in to support students as necessary. The return to in-person classes presented hurdles of catching students up on content, reminding them of the school’s behavioral expectations, and keeping their attention for an eight-hour school day. I am in awe at the skillset of many of my colleagues. Their ability to tie a shoe while teaching and answering emails is astonishing. It’s easy enough for anybody to show up with a cup of coffee and sit behind a desk, but that isn’t what makes an educator. I’ve seen Eastside San José teachers stand up to the challenge and provide their best effort for their students.
“I’ve seen Eastside San José teachers stand up to the challenge and provide their best effort for their students.”
In my second week, I asked the middle school coach if he had any advice for working with the students. He told me to be myself because the kids could see through any sort of educator persona. During my most challenging moments, those words brought me clarity. Coach was a buff, bearded, sports-sunglass rocking dude. In between classes, if he wasn’t setting up an activity, he would be getting in a workout of his own. My P.E. Teachers were the type to ask you to do a pullup or run a mile, then stamp a letter-grade based on your performance.
“He told me to be myself because the kids could see through any sort of educator persona.”
Sure, some argue that’s all P.E. should really be, but what if it wasn’t? Coach provided equal attention from the top-performers to those needing extra support. Providing non-condescending support to students struggling on a pushup or praise to those coming in last from a run makes more of a lasting impact than you would think. His role at the school extended to other responsibilities, such as processing incoming referrals or removing unwelcome visitors from the school’s premises. He connected lessons about being present in our community or about how an individual’s actions can affect the rest of the group. He spoke to students with respect, and in-turn they provided respect back.
“He spoke to students with respect, and in-turn they provided respect back.”