Revolution In The Bronx
I know my tone is usually light and message fairly, if not completely pointless, so I’m giving fair warning to anyone who can’t handle seriousness (Kenneth) look away. This week a number of teachers at my former high school, The Bronx High School of Science, quit as a result of the administration. This is not a new problem. The faculty and administration have been at odds with each other since I was a student there. There is some background here, but a lot has happened since 2005 and I’m sure there is more information to be found online. I haven’t been in that school in two years, and I haven’t been a student there in three, so I can’t say what really happened. I know a combination of what my brother (who still goes there) has told me and what I read here.
One of the teachers who quit was Justin Fox, a Math teacher who came to the school my senior year, and my brother’s freshman year. We both happened to have him during that 05-06 school year. I had AP Java (Computer Science) with him 3rd period, and my brother had shapes, or numbers or geometry or whatever you learn Freshman year, 9th period. When we were in his class we would text each other “Fox Fox Fox Fox” steathily, mixing in texts where we would substitute “Fox” into movie titles or song lyrics. (e.g. “Stop In The Name Of Fox” or “Man I Feel Like A Fox”) He would jokingly chastise us for always wearing hats in school, which was strictly prohibited. We would mess with him for making the unfortunate decision of being a Met fan.
He treated us like adults, and spoke to us like people, which is not always a give in with teachers or professors. Looking back on my senior year and the whole of my high school experience, Mr. Fox was without a doubt one of my favorite teachers. But beyond that he was also a good teacher, which is even more impressive since the traits of likable and effective are often found to be mutually exclusive in teachers. For ten months I watched as he dealt with an AP Java class filled with some of the most eccentric, outspoken and at times frustrating seniors at the school in just his rookie season of teaching. I witnessed this test of mental strength day in and day out. I never cut the class once. I did miss it one day to give blood, but everyone knows you get a free pass for that. It was just a class I didn’t mind going to, even in the second semester of my senior year.
I know my words here don’t mean much, and they won’t get read by many, but somehow if by luck, or by the divine will of the internet gods someone in the Bronx Science administration stumbles upon this I hope you are completely aware of how truly unfortunate, disappointing, and senseless this entire situation is.
