Sometimes the most pertinent learning happens completely by surprise.
School begins for students in the school district I work in next week. The past week has been filled with meetings, planning, and generally getting ready to welcome students back Tuesday, the 17th. To get myself back into a morning routine, while trying to pursue some healthier habits, I began a new workout class at the local Genesis where I belong. Covid has not been my friend and I have definitely gained weight that I want to work at losing to become more comfortable in my body again. Two weeks ago I started the class, not knowing what to expect.
When I first walked into the gym, at 5:10 am, I walked down the hallway and looked into the classroom. There were six individuals scattered around the room waiting to begin the class. Each was standing near a mat on the floor, with step risers and various weights. I was apprehensive, but opened the door and stepped inside.
The instructor knew right away that I was new, she hadn't seen me there before, so she introduced herself and began to tell me about the class. Still nervous about beginning a new class, I listened and looked around. What I saw was a room full of fit individuals, athletic and well toned, ready to get started. I looked at myself and thought, why am I here?
People were nice enough to me but it was obvious that I was out of my element. One gentleman spoke to me, gave me some pointers and a smile that helped the jitters. He wasn't quite as athletic as the others but definitely knew what he was doing, a regular attendee.
I could tell as soon as the class began that I was in over my head. I have lifted weights all summer and attended water aerobics at another local gym, but this class was nothing like what I had done in the past. There was constant cardio, running, jumping onto the risers, along with the weights and strength conditioning. I figured out very soon why everyone looked so toned. They were all already friends and attended the class regularly, but this was my first day.
The class meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and as of today, I have attended six sessions, It is a very hard workout, and I am the least able person there. Yesterday, Friday morning, while making modifications to some of the exercises I realized that choosing to begin the workout class was the best thing I could have done to prepare myself for the new school year. Reader, you might think I am referring to building endurance and better health for the school terms looming ahead. However, what I inadvertently had done was put myself into a situation that was uncomfortable and new much like the students that will be entering my classroom very soon, and I have some revelations to share.
I have spent my entire educational career working with students who benefit from accommodations and modifications to succeed in their academic studies. I have been working either as a paraprofessional or targeted assistance teacher for almost twenty years. During that time I have become quite proficient at making adjustments to whatever curriculum is assigned for my students to be successful. Yet I don't think I ever felt so acutely what students must feel walking into a classroom the first few weeks of the school year. Knowing that the work is going to be hard and feeling worried about how they will get through the day. Now, I think I do.
Walking into the gym class, the first Monday morning was similar to the feeling that I think some students might feel during school. They may not feel up to the workload being assigned. They want to be able to do all that is being asked but no matter how hard they try, they just can't do it, at least not the same way that others may be able and must make modifications or accommodations to the assignments to be successful. They struggle ahead with hopes that with more work and perseverance they will be able to make the gains needed to pass or continue the class.
I was really nervous, unsure of myself, and doubted myself the first few sessions of the morning class. I was embarrassed that I could not do all the exercises, not because I am the oldest there, but because I am the novice and least able. I knew that no one was watching me but in my head, everytime I had to choose to modify an exercise or find a similar one I felt inadequate because even though I was working hard at my present ability, I wasn't able to do exactly the same work as the others.
I know that students who need accommodations often feel this way as well. When they leave a classroom to take a test, or have work explained more than once to grasp the parameters of the assignment. It is not that the student is working any less hard, or is learning less, they just need a variation of the assignment to be able to complete the work. But the student does feel as if they just aren't quite the same as the others and it chafes over time.
Sometimes when we are running in class, skipping, jumping, or doing burpees, I simply can not keep up. I have to allow others to pass me, do fewer of the same movement, or change exercises entirely. I can feel saddened that I am not the same as the others there. My students have often told me they wish they were like the other students, the ones that learning comes easier. I can relate better now that I have experienced something similar.
I did not begin going to the gym class to experience an object lesson. But, I must say it was a timely coincidence. In two weeks time I have learned more empathy and compassion for my students' situations than I could have learned from other avenues. Putting myself in a uncomfortable situation helped me make some connections that I will remember throughout the school year as I strive to help my kids grow and learn to the best of their ability, meeting them where they are currently and finding ways to help them build skills and become stronger academically.
I would encourage any teacher to occasionally put themselves in situations that are new and maybe a little uncomfortable. Take a risk, and when you do...think about your students and the way they feel tackling new things as they learn and grow. It will bring a whole new perspective. I plan to keep striving and going to the 5:15am cardio and strength conditioning class. Just as my students can't quit when it's tough, I won't either. I am grateful for the unexpected professional development lesson I got the last couple weeks before school began again and I am looking forward to using it when I am working with my kids.
