Page 13 - EdViewptsSpring2020

Dress Comfortably and Bring participating in that day. The highlight of Change Is Good
a Snack my visit was recess when she brought Beginning in 5th grade, our students
me around to all of her friends and
The night before my first shadowing introduced me to everyone, making change classes and teachers
day I was extremely nervous. Was sure I was never alone. throughout the day. Fifth and 6th
this actually going to work? Were the graders travel in cohorts, easing the
teachers going to be comfortable with Four Grades, Three Schools, transition to middle school and high
this? Would the students welcome me Lots of Questions school. They are familiar with terms
into their classes? Would anyone want such as Google Classroom, STEAM,
to sit with me at the lunch table or play In Hazlet, there are three buildings and Kahoot. They juggle Chromebooks,
with me at recess? I was immediately where students in Grades 1 through textbooks and pencils like clowns in the
transforming back to being a student 4 attend school. In order to get the circus. Students thrive off of stimulation,
on the first day of school. All of most of my experience, I spent one and teachers navigate this personalized
those fears, anxieties and questions day in each building. Start and end learning approach in their classrooms
were flooding in. To prepare for my times were the same; schedules flawlessly. Students follow an alternating
elementary school visits, the message were very similar. The grades, AB block in both middle school and
was the same. Dress comfortably however, couldn’t have been more high school. As someone who didn’t
and don’t forget to bring a snack. different. Coincidentally, all of my experience a class schedule like this
Upon arrival, each principal introduced buddies in these grades were boys. until my college days, I must admit I did
me to my shadow buddy. It didn’t None of them seemed to mind that find it a bit challenging. What I found
matter the school or the grade, they I was a girl as long as I was willing most enjoyable about this schedule was
immediately showed me the ropes. to actively participate in recess. By each teacher’s approach to “chunking”
You hang your coat up in your cubby. the time I reached the 4th grade, the longer period with various activities
Put your lunch box in this crate. Any students had lots of questions about all related to the day’s objective.
notes from your mom go in this bin what I was doing in their classroom.
on the teacher’s desk. Students were My answer remained consistent and My Journey in Their Shoes
directed to call me “Heather” because simple: In my role as Director of As an educator I’ve attended
how could I truly consider myself one Curriculum, I make decisions on their professional development on programs,
of them if they referred to me as “Mrs. behalf every day, and I really have pedagogy, school safety, technology,
Schwarz.” Starting in preschool proved no idea what it is like to be them. evaluation models and more. I’ve
to be the best grade to begin this Because my shadowing days varied, learned the “do’s and don'ts” of being
experience. Our program is half day I was able to experience many a teacher and an administrator. This
which allowed me to get my feet wet different specials like computers, art, experience gave me the one thing I
and ease into this project because I gym, library, and enrichment. It didn’t was lacking - what it’s like to be a child
really had no idea what to expect. surprise me how much students in 2020. I graduated high school in
Spending the day in kindergarten enjoyed participating in all of these 1995. It’s been 25 years since I’ve sat
classes. What did surprise me was
prepared me for what was to come in their love for reading, writing and in a traditional public school setting as
the next few grades. Students have math. With flexible seating options a student. The most important lesson
a full, and I mean full, day of school in many classrooms, students I’ve learned in this journey is that no
packed with math, reading, writing, were able to get comfortable with student walks the same path getting to
special classes, lunch, recess and a good book, work collaboratively our schools and no student walks the
practically no downtime. Kindergarten with others to problem-solve or same path when they leave. It’s our job
was exciting. Students loved being just stand to stretch their legs at to recognize the shoes they’re wearing
there, and I did as well. My shadow a “stand-up desk” while they were and to always remember, no matter
buddy was a great friend. She showed working independently. Through how long ago it might have been, we
me my cubby and made certain I this experience, I have truly found as educators also wore those shoes.
always had a sharpened pencil and the value in flexible seating. In
any supplies I needed. She sat with me fact, I have started referring to it as
on the carpet and taught me the songs “realistic seating.”
and dances her classmates were

About the Author
Heather Schwarz has been the Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Testing for the Hazlet Township
Public Schools for the last 8 years. During her 20 years in education she has taught mathematics at the
high school level, served as the K-12 Math Supervisor, coached three sports and taught at the college
level. She resides in Oceanport, NJ with her husband, Justin and their 6 year old son, Finnegan.

Educational Viewpoints -11- Spring 2020