Blocks away from Escalante Elementary, I pull up to a white apartment complex. Miscellaneous toys, bikes, and barbeque grills adorn the front yards, showing a presence of children and families. I approach apartment number 18 and knock on the door. Behind the wall I can hear a muffled voice shout, “Ms H. is here!” The door swings open and there is Ashley, beaming with her sweet smile. Behind her stands her mother, Maria, and her stepfather, Marvin. Together, they welcome me into their home. For the next half hour, I dive into the intimate points of who they are and what makes their family so special.
Through this process, I found myself crossing over the invisible borders that so frequently keep people apart. Joe Beth Allen in Creating Welcoming Schools describes this idea as “the space between two individuals that shrinks with intimacy” (p. 139). This space that once existed between Ashley and I was soon filled with appreciation, respect, and understanding. From this, we began to live within our own element, outstretching the confinements of race, religion, SES, and gender.
When teachers break down boundaries and borders, cross over the lines, and step out of boxes- we are building intimate relationships that carry more meaning and purpose than is ever imaginable. If we teach in this way, a whole world of learning and compassion is opened up and experienced for both teachers and students.
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