Middle school students often have the ability to cut through the political chatter to teach us real lessons about being authentic in a world where statements are rarely made without agenda. For the last couple of years, we have hosted a middle school "Coffehouse" where we decorate our black box theater with lamps, tables, cookies and hot chocolate, set some low lighting, and invite the students to come and read their poetry in front of an audience. The English teachers have collaborated on this event to teach different aspects of poetry at the same time in the semester which coincides with the coffeehouse, and it has been a great success!
Sixth through eighth grade is a tumultuous time for students' emotions, and they seem to thrive if given an opportunity to creatively express their new found hormonal emotions. This poetry slam gives the students a platform for their work, literally a stage on which to perform their writing. Giving students this stage means they will give more as they are taught. When given a real-world, relevant, and authentic goals to shoot for, I am always amazed to see the heights to which students will rise.
This year was no different. Students brought amazing poetry, tapping into their angsty emotions as they search for meaning in life and self identity. We laughed, we cried, and the students sat down and wrote more poetry as others read. They could have gone all night if I wouldn't have stopped them at the end of our time together. Some days, in the midst of middle school madness, I wonder if anything of any consequence is going through their heads. Moments like the poetry reading remind me just how amazing students can be when given a chance.
In the midst of this poetry storm, the country had a tempest of its own with the arguments, controversies and misinformation regarding the gun control debate. In this highly politicized climate, every speech, fact, and expression around this topic had an agenda. It was almost impossible to cut through the politics and just mourn for shooting victims, or go for a hunt or to the shooting range without feeling judged. Luckily for teachers, we are exposed to bright minds who haven't developed the desire for agendas, and still honestly, authentically and vulnerably express themselves. I was brought to tears when one student dedicated her poem to Hadiya Pendleton, the young woman killed by gunfire in Chicago a week after performing in the Presidential Inauguration. This student was not making an argument for or against guns, but was just expressing sadness for a young person like herself whose life was cut too short. It was sad, beautiful, and moving in a way that a work by adult with more awareness and political savvy could not be. It's honesty and authenticity struck me as pure, and it captured the moment's tragedy without the policy implications.
I am truly blessed by these students every day, and thankful for opportunities like this one that remind me why I teach.
