They were only five or six years old when the Twin Towers collapsed. The tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001 is a faded memory for a few, but most learned about that day from their history teacher. Their knowledge gives them the insight needed to form opinions and make judgments, and their innocence provides their faith. The graduating class of 2014, now sophomores in high school, shocked and awed me this week with their blazing patriotism and pride for The United States.
Although cases against The Pledge of Allegiance still arise in our country every year, most schools recite this declaration at the beginning of the school day. It is a routine that is engrained in our youth at the start of the very first day of school. Unfortunately, reciting The Pledge of Allegiance was a practice that fell by the wayside at the beginning of the school year. It was casually mentioned to me one day by my cooperating teacher, but she pushed it off as an “oh well I guess we’re not taking the time this year” statement. I was shocked, but didn’t feel that I had the authority to protest my strong feelings in favor of The Pledge. There wasn’t a reason given, but I felt the creeping feelings that some felt that the 30 seconds of time taken to address the red, white, and blue flag in the hall was better used as teaching time; perhaps it is just laziness. Whatever the reason, it is not my job to speculate.
Wednesday morning started out as every morning had since I took over teaching the first period sophomore English class: bell rang, students chatted quietly in their seats, and I took attendance, lunch count, and breakfast count. As I began to point their attention to the whiteboard for our usual bell-ringer activity (think quick write activity) a naturally kind and thoughtful girl asked why we no longer said The Pledge. Before I spoke, I paused and considered the question that I was embarrassed to answer. Other students began to chime in asking the same question and within a moment an excitement took over the class. They looked to me as though I had the answer, or else I was going to lead them to battle. I decided to skip the question and tell them that I support their desire to rally around the flag each morning and recite our faith in America. It was then decided that we would continue the tradition and meet outside of our classroom door as soon as the next morning’s bell rang.
The event that happened that morning gave me my first taste of excitement and pride while teaching; and later brought tears to my eyes as I reflected upon it. Too often I hear our country’s youth put down for their ignorance, or careless attitude towards The United States. I am constantly disappointed in my adult peers who discredit our youth and label them as hopeless. If I don’t value their thoughts, passions, and ideas then who will? I believe in my students and I believe in them even more when they don’t believe in themselves.
The next morning I anticipated the flash mob Pledge of Allegiance that was to soon take place. It was a secret I shared with my students and as I passed them in the hallway we shared a smug and knowing smile. I had morning-duty before class and when the bell rang I swiftly made my way to the English room; only to find that my students were already waiting inside the doorway with huge grins on their face. When the second bell rang we stepped out into the hallway to find that the eighth graders were locked out of the Math room. We quickly whispered the plan to them and began to recite The Pledge. It was amazing to see our flash mob take over the upstairs of the school and draw out student and surprised educators from their rooms. The students were proud…of themselves, of their school, and of their country. I can’t teach my students how to be proud of their country, community, or classroom, but I can be supportive when they decide that they have been called to action to defend an issue or perpetuate a cause.
Today, day two of The Pledge, we lined up outside and proudly recited the words. There weren’t as many participants, but those who were still looming in the hall paused and joined our simple cause. By the time we completed the last word many more had begun to join us, realizing they were too late. My sophomores bounded back into our room with the same grins as before plastered on their face while I once again had tears welling in my eyes. The elation I feel for them is unexplainable. Some may consider this a small victory, but if a small victory happens once a day, even once a week, I’ll be happy. In fact, I’ll be proud. These students have known war for the majority of their lives, but their patriotism has not wavered. They’ve harbored the verbal abuse of others, but still they stand strong in their beliefs. It is times like this where I want to run to the mountaintop and shout to the world below. Teaching and writing are my mountaintops.
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