The Distance Between Us by https://padlet.com/daturner/xocd44as6zmr This is the small group, book club circle where you will discuss ideas with other educators who read the same book. Please post a reflection about how the content of this book relates to your teaching practice. For example, share specific examples, events and quotes from the text that were significant to you or caused you to consider more deeply the experiences your students may have had. Post one reflection (2-3 paragraphs) by Thursday, August 1st and respond to at least two other posts by Thursday August 8th. en-us 2019-07-29 11:00:38 UTC 2019-08-08 18:16:06 UTC hello@padlet.com Tamiko Gomez tamikogomez https://padlet.com/daturner/xocd44as6zmr/wish/372692290 It has been an absolute pleasure reading the book, The Distance Between us by Reyna Grande. I have gained a tremendous amount of insight into the journey that immigrant families undergo and the toll that it takes on everyone. 

As an educator, reading this book directly connects to my teaching practice. It gave me a deeper understanding of how parents respond to demands placed on them by teachers. I can vividly recall the section of text, where Reyna's dad was not comfortable interacting with the school, due impart to his limited English. He, therefore, left that responsibility to the girl's stepmom. It was clear that him being distanced from the school was not due to a disinterest. He seemed to have a strong belief that education was the gateway to freedom and happiness. 

In another section of text, despite the strained relationship she had with her father, Reyna still wanted to show him that she understood his desire for her to get an education. She said "I will finally get my chance to make Papi proud!" (page 215)

I also cant forget the trauma that Reyna and her siblings faced. Their feeling of abandonment and neglect was palpable through out the entire book. As I read the book, I frequently paused. I took myself back into my classroom where I could feel the impact that this type of trauma has in an educational setting. It left me to ponder what I as a teacher can do to ease the burden of felt by children who find themselves in these circumstances.]]> 2019-07-30 14:02:34 UTC https://padlet.com/daturner/xocd44as6zmr/wish/372692290 Family Interactions and connections sweller95b https://padlet.com/daturner/xocd44as6zmr/wish/372986184
The content of this book relates to my teaching practice, as I work with a variety of students who personally, or members of their immediate family, have immigrated from non-English speaking countries from Central & South America, and Africa.  Some of the families seem to feel similarly to Reyna's - that they are not comfortable coming into the school building for positive or potentially concerning events or meetings.  Some have stated that the teachers are the experts, so they trust the decisions that we are making for their child(ren).  Others must work, sleep (because they work overnight), or have other reasons not to come to school. As a professional, I try to be understanding of many of the unsaid reasons.  However, if I cannot connect at all (email, phone call with an interpreter, note, parent meeting/conference, IEP meetings, etc.) it is very challenging to provide informed support without some knowledge of the home environment.  

Over the years I have provided my planning and personal time during the day at lunch and after school to help some of my students complete their schoolwork and homework.  At least providing a space that students can work and use internet connections, at times providing additional instruction.  
I have also been a link for some families, once I have established a connection, with other teachers, so that students can be more successful in their classes, including electives, such as band.  Like Rayna's family, many students do not have someone at home to turn to for school support.  

In chapter 13, Reyna won a writing competition, however, the prize was not something that she could enjoy with her family.  This made me think about the importance of recognizing that a reward or prize may not be rewarding to all students.  Do they need transportation? What are the hours? Do they need someone to go with them? Perhaps having multiple opportunities? Or at least coordinating group transportation when possible.  If the student can not enjoy the fruit of their labor - will they work as hard when opportunities present themselves in school?
]]> 2019-08-01 20:59:45 UTC https://padlet.com/daturner/xocd44as6zmr/wish/372986184 sloneal https://padlet.com/daturner/xocd44as6zmr/wish/373088295 This book directly relates to being a teacher. Before coming to Monarch Annapolis, I didn't quite know the extent of our ESOL students. Now, after reading this book I have a better understanding of not only what parents go through in order to get their children to a better life, but how the children feel about coming to a new place. I can now understand why parents like Reyna's would be reluctant to come into the classroom for conferences, volunteer, or classroom events. They know they are different and feel uncomfortable. My job is to help make all families that are apart of my classroom to feel comfortable communicating me with and being within our building. It really is all about the kids and families, to help support everyone, so everyone feels they are apart of community that wants the best for them!]]> 2019-08-02 19:18:37 UTC https://padlet.com/daturner/xocd44as6zmr/wish/373088295 Storytelling sstein920 https://padlet.com/daturner/xocd44as6zmr/wish/373431267   “Read the record.” “Have you gone in their file?” During my early years of teaching in Richmond, Virginia, I struggled to understand why children acted the way they did in my classroom. My supervisor encouraged me to go through their files, to look at the evaluations and anecdotal observations of their previous teachers. The seventh grader who talked in a baby voice and drove me crazy with his immature behavior? He was hiding in a closet while his father was shot and killed in their home. The student who had a bathroom accident in my classroom? He was a micro-preemie, born months before his due date, and had lingering health issues years later.
The Distance Between Us reminded me that as an educator, I cannot turn away from or ignore the tragic circumstances that happen in childhood. It was difficult to read about the abuse, neglect, and poverty that Reyna experienced as a child. There were times when I set the book down and walked away for a bit to clear my head. I knew that I had to dive back in, that I had to feel the hurt, to fully understand her story. Often children do not have the words to tell their stories, but the experience is communicated through their actions. Reyna’s school experience in the United States was an important reminder for me to seek out the withdrawn student, the one who internalizes their hurt instead of lashing out. As an adult writing her memoir, Reyna can recognize that she was distracted in school when her father returned to Mexico after his sister took over his house (chapter 12). She had experienced the perils of crossing the border illegally, and could not get the dangers he was facing out of her mind. A typical middle school student has a hard time opening up about worries and fears that are a source of distraction, but for Reyna, confiding her worries to a teacher could have resulted in deportation. 
I look forward to sharing pieces of this story with my colleagues at school, and will share my copy of the book with those interested in reading it. Additionally, I do want to purchase the young reader’s version of the book for my classroom, and I will encourage all students to borrow it. There are some who will personally identify with her experience as an immigrant and ESL student, but the story is also important for the students who come from different backgrounds. I believe strongly that reading powerful stories, like this memoir, can change the heart and open the mind of the reader.
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