Thoughts on the Presidential Visit

3.08.11 By José Valenzuela

I’m sitting at home with 40 notebooks to grade tonight, but I’m beaming. The President of the United States came to OUR school. I attended with my students and my colleagues, people for whom I have sacrificed much in these last two years. And no, I couldn’t possibly have predicted that those long hours after school or late at night at home crafting those lessons, calling families, coaching wrestling, and yes, grading notebooks (like I should be doing right now) would result in such a gratifying validation of our committed hard work in the Boston Public Schools for OUR students. But what validation this was. Usually my blog posts are crafted with lots of thought, trying to ensure that every word, sentence and paragraph meets its intended purpose. But tonight, I am writing to make sure that my emotions come through on the keyboard. So here it goes, in all its unfiltered glory.

First of all, I have to say that this afternoon was an exceptional reward for my students. And for Dorchester, my goodness for Dorchester. Their President visited THEIR neighborhood! My kids certainly noticed - “Hey, the only time the news channels come out here is when someone got shot” - isn’t that the truth. The positive press on this neighborhood should continue. It is a vibrant place with tremendous history, diversity, culture, and vibrancy. And our President saw some of that too. And Dorchester finally got some of its due.

Flashback to last week. The rumors spread quickly. Boston.com was reporting on Thursday that President Obama was visiting TechBoston Academy. Hardly anyone believed it. Our principal sent out an email that night, but few details came. Even up through to Monday, the teachers didn’t know much, but of course much was happening behind the scenes. Everyone was certain that I would get chosen - the history and Civics teacher - but I wasn’t. I had convinced myself that I didn’t care if I wasn’t chosen to attend the event, since Obama would be speaking at our high school and not the middle school building. We were also told that not all students would be allowed to go - but that’s for another post. Let’s stay positive here! I simply just wanted to show to the students that were going that I was happy for them (because I was! They were going to see the President! Number 44!). And then I received the email this morning that I would be going - along with the other BTR graduates! I was thankful for the opportunity to go, but mostly because the three teachers that I respect the most and have gone through the same trials along there with me (Ms. Sumner, Mr. Cain, Mrs. Medeiros, and Mr. Witsil) would all be there as well. Okay, so fast-forward back to the Upper Academy’s gym…

As I was sitting there waiting for the President to arrive, I couldn’t help it - the teacher in me (or am I always Mr. V at this point?) was plugging away at ideas. “If I get a good shot of the podium of the podium, presidential seal, and backdrop, that would make an awesome green screen for when students debate.” The ideas continued even during his speech - “OMG he just said ‘We rise and fall together’ our school motto! I am SO looping that as a video and playing that for my students on repeat!” I was thinking about what impact his speech would have. I watched my students’ faces. Not even my most perfectly engaging lesson could possibly recreate what those students got to see live. The most powerful man in the world speaking directly to them, imploring them to strive for greatness and success. Telling them and the world that what TechBoston Academy has been doing for nearly a decade deserves recognition. Not only that, he spoke to them to say - “We need you to become our next teachers.” Yes! That was music to my ears. The other politicians in the audience could certainly follow Obama’s lead. Education should and ought to be a virtuous cycle.

This may not be the most insightful or revelatory blog I haven’t written to date, but I needed to write down my thoughts on March 8, 2011. A time capsule of sorts. I still have not absorbed all of what occurred today, but I know that for those students and teachers that went, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience - a chance to tell children and grandchildren “I shook Obama’s hand” or for Mrs. Young and her 6th graders the chance to show of their handwritten letter from Obama thanking them for their letters to him. I am so thankful that education has given me such wonderful opportunities. I will count March 8, 2011 as one of the many cherished days that I have enjoyed thus far - and hopefully the many more yet to come.