Scenes from DC

Scene 1: Janney Elementary School.
I knew Norah Lycknell was young by my mom's standards, but I was not prepared to have someone who seemed my age step out of the principal's office. She is the partner of a former colleague of my mother's. So I had an "in." She agreed to meet with me while I was in town and show me around he school. An informational interview, but I dressed up in any case. As we stepped into the hallway to begin the tour, I was immediately struck by the energy. Students were transitioning from lunch, but they seemed focused, independent, and energized. In my building at home we have a "level 1" in the hallways rule, which ends up making adults and children feel stressed out much of the time. I appreciate quiet as much as the next person, but I found myself reveling in the relative noise. Student work was taped or tacked to every all. A big problem since the fire marshal was due to come through tomorrow, but so lovely to see. The work was captivating but not refined. Teachers were authentically exhibiting student work, warts and all. As we peeked in to each classroom and watched snippets of math lessons, social studies lessons, writing lessons, I counted heads. No less than 24 in a classroom, at times as many as 28. Students were engaged, teachers compelling but not perfect. The principal remarked several times, "She's amazing." Or "She's a true master, one of the best I've seen," or "He's a first year, but coming along really well." She observes every teacher three times a year formally, and seems to spend much of each day in classrooms. This is her first year as a principal, and she can't have taught for more than ten. She is young, optimistic, driven, positive, and interested in change. As we talked, I felt we could have a real conversation. I was myself. In almost every interaction in New Hampshire I have felt as if I am constantly misreading social cues, or like I am in the wrong skin. As I walked around the building on my own after the tour to view where they will be building the new modernization addition starting next month, I thought, "I could do this." It would be a good place to work, at the very least.

Scene 2: Two Rivers Public Charter School.
I agonized over what to wear. I was going my friend Erin's children's school, at her suggestion and assertion that I would "love it." She had put me in touch with the principal who extended an invitation to sit in on their weekly community meeting. "And then I can show you around." Not an interview. My casual informational interview outfit had been ruined by the cats and cream cheese the day before and I had neglected to wash it. After much deliberation I settled on my bright sky blue socks, sweater, necklace and ear rings. A bit bold, but certainly not stained or covered in cat hair. Peppy and casual, perfect for a visit. I felt a bit self conscious, but managed to shirk the feeling during the 20 minute subway ride to New York Avenue.
As I turned on to Fourth Street, I could immediately tell which building was Two Rivers. You couldn't miss it. The entire renovated warehouse was bright, sky blue. Almost every surface outside and in was blue, or complimentary greens and oranges. I looked like I was wearing the school uniform. This was either fabulous or horrific, but it certainly was not unnoticeable.
I arrived right at the start of the school day. Parents and children were flooding into the building. Everyone seemed as if they were arriving for a rock concert, with a skip to their step and smiles on their faces. Energy poured through the doors and blue tinted windows, across the smooth blue tiles and into the wide hallways. This school had a pulse like no other. I found my friend Erin and accompanied her to her children's classrooms. Kids were noisy, energized as they pulled on their Two Rivers t-shirts and lined up for meeting.
We made our way up to the meeting room, "the green," a large room with green tiles (a stark contrast to the blue), and a wall of windows on one side. Parents crowded along every wall and into every corner while children sat with their classmates. The meeting opened with a song and then the first graders led the school through a greeting, a few song shares (all in Spanish), a dance, and announcements. For a few minutes the ENTIRE school was dancing the merengue in partners. What was this place? Was I dreaming? Had I died and gone to heaven?
The principal took me on a lengthy tour of building, popping in and out of classrooms, while she explained the design principals expeditionary learning. These nine principals evolved from Outward Bound and include breath taking concepts like "the Having of Wonderful Ideas" and "Intimacy and Caring." Students spend 12 weeks studying a science or social studies topic in depth, in the field as much as possible. Units are developed with the students as the course evolves. I literally pinched myself.
After our tour we sat in her office. She called in the vice principal and closed the door. At about this time I realized I was about to be interviewed. I quickly interjected to point out that my outfit color choice was a total fluke and I didn't realize that I would have the privilege of an interview today so please excuse my overly casual dress. From there we proceeded to have a great conversation about instruction and curriculum and testing. And they may have a position available next year. And they would like me to come back and teach a lesson whenever possible.
As I hurried out of the cool, blue building to get to the airport on time, I thought, "I have to do this." It is the school I have been longing for.
The most valuable lesson, however, is that if Two Rivers exists, then so do other schools like it. It's kind of like the assurance that there is intelligent live elsewhere in the Universe. There has to be. So the search continues.