5. Pupil-Load

Dear Ellen,

I keep looking for clues in whatever the kids say or write. I've even installed a Suggestion Box in my room, in the hope that they will communicate their feelings freely and eventually will learn to trust me.

So far, most of them are still a field of faces, but a few are beginning to emerge. There is Lou Martin, the class comedian, whose forte is facial expressions.

No one can look more thirsty when asking for a pass: tongue hanging out, eyes rolling. No one can look more horrified at a wrong answer issuing from his own traitor lips. I know it's not in the syllabus, but I'm afraid I encourage him by laughing. I'm beginning to learn some of their names and to understand some of their problems. I even think I can help them ‒ if they would let me. But I am still the Alien and the Foe; I have not passed the test, whatever it is.

I'm a foe to Eddie Williams because my skin is white, to Joe Ferone because I am a teacher, to Carrie Paine because I am attractive.

The frightening thing is their unquestioning acceptance of what­ever is taught to them by anyone in front of the room. This has nothing to do with rebellion against authority; they rebel, all right, and loudly. But it doesn't occur to them to think.

There is a premium on conformity, and on silence! Enthusiasm is frowned upon, since it is likely to be noisy. The Admiral had caught a few kids who came to school before class, eager to practice on the typewriter. He issued a manifesto forbidding any students in the building before 8.20 or after 3.00 ‒ outside of school hours, students are "unauthorised".

They are not allowed to remain in a classroom unsupervised by a teacher. They are not allowed to linger in the corridors. They are not allowed to speak without raising a hand. They are not allowed to feel too strongly or to laugh too loudly.

Communication. If I knew how to reach them, I might be able to teach them. I asked them to write for me what they had covered so far in their high school English, and what they hoped to achieve in my class.' Their papers were a revelation: I saw how desperately they need me, or someone like me. There aren't enough of us. Yet ‒ with all my eagerness to teach, teaching is the one thing Calvin Coolidge makes all but impossible.

It's so good to have you to write to.

Love, Syl

P.S. Did you know that in New York City there are more than 800 schools, over 86 high schools, and about one million pupils? And that out of every 100 children who start school, only 15 go on to receive a college diploma? And that out of the 77,000 dropouts in New York City 90 per cent are Negroes and Puerto Ricans?

6. Pupil's Letters from the Suggestion Box

1. "Those who educate children well are more to be honored than parents, for these only gave life, those ‒ the art of living well". Aristotle

2. Why I didn't do it?

When you tell us to bring a book report I do not like it because have to go to the library and get a book to read.

3. In these "dread times" of "Atoms" you remind me of another "teacher" I once had in "elementary". She had the courage too to laugh at a "joke" even if it wasn't fanny. Chas. H. Robbins

4 . You convinced us you're the teacher. Experienced Student

5.I happen to have another teacher for English... I feel deep within me that there should be a deeper closeness between an English teacher and a pupil because the subject touches the very heart... I am sure you're a good teacher too and quite attractive to look at. Alice Blake

6. Well, well! I don't mind bad teachers so much but some habits they have drive me nuts! like chewing their eyeglasses (Mr Loomis) or sniffing (Miss Pasterfield) or wearing the same thing every day (Mrs Lewis)! Don't forget we have to look at them all period! Present company excluded19. Ha-ha! Teachers should have a mirror at the back of the room so they could see how they look to us! Lou Martin

7.I suggest:

Free lunches. Air condition classes. No homework. TV in every room. Movie stars for teachers. School 10 to 12. Teenager