Letter to TechBoston Lower Academy

6.29.11 By José Valenzuela

With TechBoston Lower Academy merging with the Upper Academy (at the Dorchester Education Complex) next year, this seems like the perfect time to reflect on what it has meant to teach at TBA and in the Boston Public Schools.

Dear TBA Lower,

Two years ago, we met. It felt like you were a little disorganized. I wasn’t sure what to make of you. They say reputations precede you, and your reputation read like a rap sheet. But still, I was excited (and maybe a little nervous too) to meet you. You were my first teaching job, my first classroom. I tried to put the rumors behind me, and just get to know you for you. There were trainings, but on the first day of school it felt like nothing was ready. Many of us were winging it. You gave me everything you had that first year. In the back of the building, in Room 204, I had to juggle lots of new responsibilities: teacher of two grades, wrestling coach, 8th grade team leader. My hubris probably got in the way of better judgement, but I feel the experience made me stronger. I think you were just used to being tough, and you wanted me to be tough too. Looking back now, I thank you for that. We survived that first year, in a lot of ways.

I found myself in Room 119 in my second year with you. Front and center, just about. Whereas last year, almost no one visited me, this year saw lots of visitors. It was a nice change. I still had lots of the same responsibilities (teacher, coach, leader), and more (starting the first Latina/o club at the school), but it felt easier in many ways. They say the first year is the hardest in a relationship, so if you can make it through that, you can make it through anything together. Oh sure, we had tough times together. But I could never stay mad at you for long. I mean, on most days, I wore your name across my chest on my maroon colored polo shirt. You were coming to define me, in many ways. “I teach TBA Lower,” I would say to people, and there was meaning in that phrase, like people knew what I meant. Our reputation together was preceding us. I knew this day would come, when I would leave you, and I would have to join with the Upper Academy. It was meant to be. I am happy, but there is still sadness in closing your door this one last time. You made me stronger. You made me a better teacher. You made me more human.

I’m going to miss you TBA Lower. There will be no replacing you. I’m going to take the best of what I learned in your walls with me next year to the combined TechBoston. I think it’s what you would have wanted. Take care of yourself, okay?

Love,
Mr. V