Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/229155
Learning 8:50 A.M. 8:10 8:40 A.M. A.M. Students write something nice about the person next to them and pass it around during a "community circle" in the homeroom of eighth-grade teacher Alex Algones. Words like cool, awesome, nice, amazing and sweet elicit smiles. Students say "circle time" reduces bullying. "I'm so happy right now," beams Demaya Connors, enjoying the nice things said about her. A boy suspended for slamming a door on a teacher's hand is processed for re-entry to the school. Sullen and angry, he explains he intended to slam the door and call the teacher a name, but not hurt her. Early asks how the incident affected his classmates. He admits that they were scared and unable to learn. The teacher is brought in, and the boy apologizes. Early asks him about warning signs before he erupts into rage. He says he balls up his fists and feels like calling people names when he gets mad. He promises that the next time he feels angry he will visit Early at the Wellness Center to calm down. 10:00 A boy strolls into the Wellness Center, anger emanating from his bulky frame. The student, who is emotionally disturbed, tells Early that he needs a break from his class. After a timeout and a few kind words, he's ready to return. "Miss Early helps me calm down by motivating me to learn. She's great at her job." 9:30 A.M. A.M. Early rounds up at-risk students who call themselves the "Sixth Grade Mob," asking if they'll attend a meeting she has planned with the help of probation officers to deter them from gangs. One boy with an orange Mohawk says he doesn't want to go. "Just trust me," says Early. "Give it a try." His reluctance soon turns to enthusiasm; he brings other students to Early, saying they will also benefit from the meeting. Early gets a call that a boy has caused a disruption. In the hallway he explains that he found a dead bug, picked it up and put it on a girl's desk. His teacher made him call his father. "I didn't do it on purpose. Well, maybe kind of on purpose," he says, looking remorseful. "I know I was trying to be funny, but it affected my teacher, and I disappointed her." He promises not to do it again. 10:30 A.M. A boy comes to the Wellness Center, upset about "harassment." He declines her offer of mediation, but seems calmer after a talk. He has suffered abuse by his father and is struggling with his mother, who won't accept that he's gay, says Early. She schedules him for a counseling session with a marriage and family therapist (MFT) interning at the school. Early spends a lot of time educating students about homophobia, and sponsors the Gay-Straight Alliance and the school's gay pride week. Students come out to her, but are afraid to be open at this age. PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT BUSCHMAN Educator 12 Dec 2013 v2.0 int.indd 43 READ MORE ON PAGE 44. 11:00 A.M. The "Sixth Grade Mob" members meet with "Red," an ex-gang member, for a "scared straight" type of conversation. Most of them are "gang wannabes," says Early, who hopes this talk might put them on a better path. Red describes being shot and stabbed numerous times and his "friends" abandoning him during recuperation and incarceration. "They were running in the streets and not there for me. A lot of people glorify the gang thing and think it's cool, but it's really not. Small things lead to big things." D ECEMBER 201 3 | JANUARY 2014 www.cta.org 43 12/14/13 3:33 PM