On Monday, April 4th, I found myself tired at the end of the first day back from spring break. The excitement I felt at 3:05 was not from the many students leaving my classroom at the end of the day, but the rush of students making their way in to my classroom to begin working. Upwards of thirty students asked for their writing folder and quickly made their way across the hall to the technology room, a room taken over every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by students and tutors editing and revising their work for what we call Team Jackson.

As many of these students spent the bulk of their Spring Break at school working on their writing, their excitement on Monday could undoubtedly be attributed to some very important visitors. Professional writers, the very supportive staff of 826 and Mr. Phil Jackson were coming to visit and see their progress as the first deadline for our book quickly approaches. On Monday, the editorial board met for the first time to begin planning the next stages of the book and the students had an opportunity to talk with professional writers about their ideas for our book. As students across the hall worked furiously on revisions, the editorial board (ten self-selected students) sat in awe as Mr. Jackson shared with them lines from a Rudyard Kipling poem ending with: “for the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” This group will work collaboratively to order the 42 pieces that will be in the book, as well as help design the layout and front cover.

I then had the privilege of taking Mr. Jackson next door and introducing him to many of the students working on the project. It was an unforgettable moment as a teacher to see my students’ eyes light up as they explained to Mr. Jackson the topic of their piece. Elvin sat quietly as Mr. Jackson read his poem on the state of unity within the African-American community and when he passed it back and told Elvin what an important message he addressed the smile on Elvin’s face was priceless.

While our end result is a book, the growth I have seen in my students over the past few months is unbelievable. Watching these students struggle painstakingly over a phrase or ending, they have truly developed into talented young writers. They have found a way to express their views on teamwork that are going to inspire all those who read them. While telling their personal stories and sharing their distinct views, they have truly become a team.

Annette Gonzalez is a ninth grade teacher at Animo Inglewood Charter High School. As an eight year teacher, her passion is introducing incoming freshman to the world of literature and the joy they can find from reading a good book. She mentors new teachers at the school and also coaches the varsity softball team.