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Teaching in a Juvenile Prison

Why Teaching 'Criminals' Probably Isn't What You Expected It to Be

By Kurt MasonPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Photo Credit to Michael Ainsworth / Dallas Morning News / Corbis  Taken from the article "The Steep Cost of Keeping Juveniles in Adult Prisons" written by Jessica Lahey.

When people ask me where I teach, there is always a moment of hesitation before I respond. That moment of hesitation doesn’t come from an insecurity of my profession or any sort of lack in confidence, but that hesitation represents the questions that I know will inevitably come after I reveal that I am a high school teacher in a juvenile prison. I know, I know, there are probably a few quick judgments that pass through your mind: “Wow, that’s pretty cool!” “Oh my god, aren’t they dangerous? Are you scared?” or, my personal favorite, “You must not do any real teaching.” Yes, those are all comments that have been made to my face, but there are a few things you need to know about being a teacher for the young adults in the juvenile corrections system.

Yes, I'm a "real" teacher.

Despite what people may think, I am a state certified teacher—and I needed to be a state certified teacher to apply for my position. I think that people automatically assume that since the children I serve are “criminals” or “couldn’t make it in a real school” that I’m not a real teacher or that we don’t do real school work. The school I teach in is a fully accredited school that promotes proficiency-based education and fully utilizes state educational standards.

No, I don't feel unsafe at work.

Another surprising thing I have to explain to people is the fact that I don’t fear for my life every day when I go to work. Believe it or not, with what is going on in schools today, I’m probably safer in my school than many public school teachers. The rules and policies that the facility has in place, and the amazing security staff who are always nearby, help contribute to a classroom climate that promotes safety, respect, and collaboration. These kids have never demonstrated classroom behavior that differs from the other 15-18-year-old students that I've taught. My experience may differ from others in my profession, but I have never felt unsafe or threatened in my classroom.

The kids are willing to learn.

You’re probably thinking that these kids aren’t cut out for school, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I have students working on a wide variety of things, but they always seem to want more. Yes, we do have the occasional free day, but, for the most part, they walk into my classroom ready and willing to take on whatever may come their way. From attempting to write the next great novel, conducting research and presenting a speech on the various forms of world government, or even preparing to head off to college (congrats to my students who have officially received their acceptance letters!), my students see what's in front of them and they go for it.

It truly does take a village.

Although they spend a vast majority of their day in the classroom, the responsibility of providing these kids with the educational, therapeutic, and prosocial skills that they need to be successful rests in the hands of many people. From the security staff in the housing units, to the sports coaches, the mentors and volunteers, the mental health clinicians, the councilors, and, of course, the teachers, the needs of the kids always come first. I am only a small part of their lives, but if each of the crucial parts can’t work together it is the kids who suffer.

They teach me as much as I teach them.

Whether you are a teacher in a public school, a private school, or even a juvenile prison, I think that anyone who chose to enter the teaching profession can tell you that we learn just as much—maybe even more—from the kids as they do from us. From new music, the hottest new trends in pop culture, or simply how to have a little fun, these kids know how to keep me on my toes and, like the old saying goes, I truly do learn something new every day.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that I kind of appreciate that moment of hesitation that comes after someone asks me where I teach because it gives me a chance to think about what I do and how I wouldn’t change it for the world.

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About the Creator

Kurt Mason

Teacher • Writer • Reader

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