Wes Morgan February Response to Old North

 

Photo: February 2024 - Dr. Boxley addresses students at Town Hall meeting about yet another change in scheduling specials (Health, PE, Art, Music) in Mr. Lloyd's Music Classroom,

The Principal of Old North summoned me to the office for a sit down on February 9, 2024. Here’s what Dr. Lisa Boxley (with Assistant Principal Annette Chamberlain in attendence) wanted me to respond to this office visit.   

“I’ve had three recent complaints about you. We’ve already discussed the complaint by The Wright Way BCBA, Ms. Safire. She said you were unprofessional."

Well, she tried to coach me and take the floor in my classroom mid-lesson. I could not abide this as I know full well that my credibility in front of fifth graders would be compromised if a Behavior Specialist was allowed to take control. I’m sorry Safire but I don’t need coaching as a teacher of art. And you are here to support a student, not control me. Your feedback is welcome but not in front of students.

“Now, I have two teachers who have texted me that you were rude and aggressive over the use of the rolling cart of paper. Ms. Cooley said she sent a student to get the paper rolls and you only gave her a bit of black paper. So she went to the art room to get the cart herself.”  

I was not accustomed to this cart leaving my room but this was amid a schoolwide challenge to decorate doors and rooms for Black History Month. And it was three students who arrived to get the paper (not just one). I offered to give them whatever they needed. I tore off a large sheet of black paper and a student seemed to be satisfied. Until Ms. Cooley returned in a huff to over-ride my call and pushed the cart out of my room. (It was not returned. Instead it was rolled down the hall to the 7th  grade classroom of Ms. Wren.)

“Ms. Wren said you accosted her pushing by students in class and yelling at her.”

I think that her characterization is unfair, At no time was I aggressive. I admit to using sarcasm at times which can be misunderstood and perceived as rude. I simply asked when I could expect the paper dispenser cart to be returned. It was the end of the day.

It’s February and your Art Teacher has managed requests for administrators and teachers all year long. I have bent over backwards to be a team player. As you know I have been successful reaching out to the Old North neighborhood business community. We talked about creating Pathways for students interested in Art. I believe an important first step is to show the outside world that creativity lives at Old North Academy. But now I am portrayed as a yeller and rude. I don’t think this is fair. It could be that I am a sort of victim of reverse micro-aggression. This was the first time the presumption of this cart of paper rolls was a traveling asset available to all teachers for as long as they think they need it.

I challenged Dr. Boxley and Ms. Chamberlain to ask themselves if the notion of a yelling, rude, aggressive, unprofessional accosting person rings true from their observations of my performance at and for Old North this year because it looks to me like the allegations are unfair or at least poorly written. It’s no wonder the school cannot retain an Art Teacher. (I’ve learned that the position has been a bit of a revolving door.)

Note too that this cart is in serious disrepair. It is designed to hold 8 rolls of paper but it it broken in several places so it only works as intended for 3 of 8. I researched this piece of equipment and learned that it would cost $900.00 to replace. I have several unfortunate situations that have an impact in the art room. Several rolls of paper are water damaged. The cart only accommodates three rolls but in a somewhat less than optimal configuration. In my 8 months of working as Old North Art Teacher this rolling asset has not routinely left the Art Room.

The specials team as it was configured at the onset of the 2023-2024 school year (Morgan, Baker, Lloyd, Coach J Robinson, Librarian Moll, STEM teacher and Coach B. Calhoun). Not pictured FACS teacher Jourdan Lacey.

The school PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) notices around the school stress SAFE, RESPONSIBLE, and RESPECTFUL. I believe this broken cart traveling down the hallways to Cooley’s 8^th grade classroom and down a separate hall to Wren’s 7^th grade classroom is hazardous and NOT safe. Especially if students are charged with transporting it. Lord knows the behavior incidents in hallways doesn’t need any additional props. This is my observation based on teaching these students for 8 months over 182 students!  5^th Graders, 6^th Graders, 7^th Graders, and 8^th Graders. My opinion is that moving that heavy piece of equipment down long hallways is asking for trouble and just not SAFE.

Student work from Wren's Seventh Graders tie in their learning about the food chain. 27 students (7th and 8th Graders) went on a field trip the the Saint Louis Art Museum in October 2023. 

I’m disappointed that this meeting in the principal’s office suggests that I might have to shift my positive attitude to a more defensive posture. This is just not a way I want to live. I prefer to practice a mindfulness and live in the moment with awareness of the little victories. I'm particularly proud of organizing a field trip to the Culture celebration of the impact of 50 years of Hip Hop at the Saint Louis Art Museum and forging a relationship with the Old North Restoration Group and showcasing student work in the community. 

I felt compelled to share my experience with Sr. Francesca, my first grade teacher who later became the principal at St. Luke (the parochial school I attended growing up). Sister Francesca once showed me a way to recall the correct spelling of her title with the statement. “Remember the principal is your PAL.”