When I came to Achievement First Brooklyn High School eight years ago as the ninth grade literature teacher, it was my fourth year of teaching and my first time in a school that was unapologetically rooted in the “no excuses” model, which centers a results-driven culture that prioritizes strict behavioral procedures and academic policies.
Merits and demerits managed our students more than authentic relationships steeped in compassion and empathy. Excellence had a certain aesthetic: black shoes, buttoned- up shirts, dark pants and ties. As a teacher, I was held to standards that didn’t reflect my culture, experience or personal learning style. During a classroom walk-through, I was wearing a jean jacket over my shirt and tie, and was given the feedback that my attire was “not professional" and told to take it off. No one said anything about my instruction or interaction with my kids.
