Prompt #1

1. Describe the neighborhood, school building and classroom in which you are volunteering. What do you notice about the space and structure of the school? How do people use the space? How does this school “feel” to you? What contributes to this feeling? Describe the classroom, the teacher, and the students. What is valued in this school? In this classroom? How can you tell?



As I first turned right onto Caban Street where High Mountain Elementary School was located, I was feeling nervous and uneasy. The first thing I noticed was that there was a large parking lot right across the street from the school, which came equip with a cross walk that led to the school itself, connecting the two like a puzzle. I carefully parked my car, being sure to lock the doors, of course, and ran across the crosswalk tightly grasping my umbrella. I rang the doorbell, tiny compared to the large white brick building it was mounted on, and patiently waiting for the door to unlock.

Inside this unfamiliar place, I was greeted by stairs which took me to a set of double doors. I walked in and saw children sitting on the floor still wearing jackets and backpacks. There were two teachers standing around having a conversation, and another turning the TV on for the children. Since it was a rainy day, I assumed, they got to watch some TV before the school bell rang. I felt like a stranger walking into someone’s home, as all the children, and staff watched me fiddle with my umbrella and look for some type of sign that said office. One woman noticed I looked confused, and asked me if I was a sub. I kindly told her who I was and what I was looking for. She was really nice, and guided me to the office. I responded to her in Spanish because I knew that was her primary language although she addressed me in English. I thanked her and strolled into the office.

I introduced myself one again, to the secretary who seemed annoyed by something. She showed me where the VIPs binder and left the rest for me to figure out. After signing in, I looked up and noticed student art all over the walls of the office. This made me smile. I did not bother to ask the secretary where room 3 was, and I walked back out into the loud corridor. After walking through the maze of children, I spotted room numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13 but no number 3. "Great" I thought. That must have shown on my face when the same nice lady who guided me to the office approached me. She asked me what room I was looking for and told me to go down the stairs and take a left. I kindly thanked her again and was on my way down the wet white stairs.

Downstairs was much quieter. I quickly found room #3. The double doors were shut, so I peeked in through the small window. My eyes were greeted with book, pictures, two lonely (and cluttered) teacher desks, small tables for the children, a door that was open a crack (which I came to find out was a bathroom) and 5 windows high up which were led to by a set of stairs that looked like a fire escape. I was a little early so I leaned back on the wall and waited to meet the class, and the teacher. As I waited I tried to give the name Mrs. Borna a face and a body. Was she young or old? Tall or short? Nice or not so nice? My thoughts were quickly interrupted by a swarm of children coming down the stairs behind me. I was kindly greeted by the bilingual classroom I had been waiting to meet and sweet Mrs. Borna who now had a face and a body.

Within the first 10 minutes in the classroom I could tell that what was valued in the classroom is the following: organization, attendance, structure, and site words. In the school, however, I believe that safety and organization was valued. To me, the school as a whole feels welcoming and homey. Everyone knows each other and all the people I came across have a friendly face, except for the secretary which I found out was only in for the day.