His name is Cody and he is only 15 years old. He is sitting in a chair in the front of my class. He is also always busy randomly moving around or admiring his new sneaks. It is hard to get his attention without a treat or a prize for "good" behavior. My class always had a prize at the end which made class fun. He is a bright student and a really good athlete. He is adored by his peers and stands out with his charming personality. I remember him as a fast runner who loved to play football.
He came to my house and asked me to help him out. I was no longer a teacher at that school, I knew that they broke fundamental educational rules.
He got kicked out of school for throwing dirt
at another student. They gave a behavior plan
that stated that Cody must keep his hands to himself
at all times.
So, a month later, he threw dirt. They kicked him out of school.
This was his ending, to the many attempts of those teachers who simply hated him,
for being loved by his peers and not kissing up to the mean teachers
Hands to himself was not a "measurable goal" that Cody could reach
a demand without a teach
Your out, "overactive boy"
Even though he was legally labeled special ed
The school made sure the parents signed off
their legal rights so
no laws could protect him and his disability did not fit
their purposes of cruelty and judgement
Compassion: Not for the kids
Staff comes first
this philosophy must be reversed
A poor principal
who did not have an educational credit in her hat
Made decisions on kids lives
that were seen as expendable
He came to me crying that he lost his eighth grade
graduation. I said, no worry, no fuss, I get you back to school
in a rush.
Their was only a month of school left and the clock was ticking for him to may it back
I called everyone like a fool
They told me to call this and that number
The goose chase of all goose chases
They could not get involved even though it
A private school funded by
I advocated and called the state and every agency.
I told Cody to go back to his school before he went to
A week had passed and I had not heard any news of my phone calls
I was in despair
I knew Cody was living with another kid at school
His father was in a mental hospital
His mother was not in the picture
I new his life was hell and his education was all
that he got
Another week passed
And I heard a knock on my door
It was Cody saying thanks for getting me back in school
They had to take me back because I had paperwork that
could be attacked
He graduated from Middle School where Special Ed kids
Get weeded out before they reach high school
Two years later I heard that the boy that could run like the wind was shot in the back. His friends say that he does not run very much anymore. I want to tell him that this is not your first experience with a shot in your back. Keep fighting for your life Cody, Run Cody Run, run for your life. You can do it Cody, Run.
I still rise, I will not apologize for anything!
Lisa/Lee Iacuzzi
Not a Good Queer
MA @ PSU
No comments:
Post a Comment