The Maxfield Times Fall 2017

The

Maxfield Times M A X F I E L D

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E L E M E N T A R Y

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I am somebody

ST. PAUL, MN

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ISSUE 02

FALL 2017

The Green Room

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Welcome to Maxfield. Meet the teams: Fourth/fifth-grade teachers at Maxfield Elementary wanted students to work on speaking, writing and creativity. New Maxfield Principal Ryan Vernosh wanted something more for his students, too.

Bethel University journalists needed a project they could design and edit. So, what happened? These 36 pages. Plus a partnership that could make a difference for students from both schools.

“They don’t need saviors,” he said. “They need opportunities.”

– Editors

Mrs. Gruber’s Class

Mrs. Earnest’s Class

Mrs. Harrington’s Class

Mrs. Pottle’s Class

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? If you want to support Maxfield Elementary School, contact Principal Ryan Vernosh by email at ryan.vernosh@spps.org, by phone at 651-2938680 or by mail to 380 Victoria St N., Saint Paul, MN 55104.

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To support future issues of Maxfield Times, contact Maxfield teacher Elizabeth Robinette by email at elizabeth.robinette@spps.org or contact Bethel professor Scott Winter by email at s-winter@bethel.edu.

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Left: Bethel editor Maddie DeBilzan brainstorms questions with her Alligators teammates in Elizabeth Earnest’s class Oct. 31. | Photo by Staff Bottom Left: Bethel editor Bethany Gustafson plays get-to-know-you games with her Alligator teammates Oct. 31. | Photo by staff Bottom Right: Maxfield student Robin laughs with Bethel student Jared during a class activity.

Robin is in Jenny Gruber’s class. | Photo by Aaron Herbst

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Left: Bethel editor Maddie Christy plays get-toknow-you games with her Alligators teammates Oct. 31. | Photo by staff

Below: Bethel editor Abby Petersen plays get-toknow-you games with her Alligators teammates in Elizabeth Earnest’s class Oct. 31 | Photo by staff

Bethel editor Godfrey Mpetey teaches his Dragonflies teammates how to work his Canon camera gear. | Photo

by Ky’Mirra

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Bethel editor Sierra Smith looks at photos with her fellow Bobcats photographers. | Photo

by Jason Stormer

Dragonflies photographers dance down the Maxfield elementary hallway outside the science classroom while waiting for their turns with the camera equipment Nov. 7. | Photo by Keke

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A fourth-grade student in Elizabeth Earnest’s classroom talks about some of her favorite things.

By SAMYA | Reporter

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olina likes slime and the movie Inside Out. She has seven siblings but she only fights with her little brother Edward, when he takes her candy or her seat in the car.

Jolina is a fourth-grade student in Elizabeth Earnest’s classroom. She worked with Bethel University students to learn more about journalism. Even though her favorite subject is math, she loved the journalism project.

All about Jolina 6

“My favorite part was when we wrote different stuff,” Jolina said. “I like writing. And when we took pictures.”

JOLINA (JOJO) GRADE: Fourth TEACHER: Elizabeth Earnest WANTS TO VISIT: Africa, New York FAVORITE FOODS: Pizza, brownies TV SHOW: Project Mc2

Jolina likes the Vikings, her favorite sport is football, her favorite place to eat is TGI Friday’s and she does not have a favorite clothing brand. It takes her 20 minutes to style her long hair. Sometimes Jolina leaves her hair how it is, but other days she puts it onto buns.

SUPERHERO: Wonder Woman

Jolina has many talents, but she wants to be a chef when she grows up because she likes to cook a lot.

SUBJECT: Art

“Cooking is fun. You get to make different

WANTS TO SHARE A MEAL WITH: My community

stuff,” Jolina said. “I love making cake.”

SUPERPOWER SHE WANTS: Super speed SPORT: Basketball

DREAM JOB: Baker Edited by Maddie DeBilzan

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An Earnest love of teaching Elizabeth Earnest’s passion for her students is boundless.

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Elizabeth Earnest calls on students while being interviewed in her fourth-grade classroom Oct. 30. Bethel journalists taught the class about investigative journalism and reporting by interviewing Earnest. “We are like her kids,” one student said.

“She feels like she has 28 kids because of us.”

By BRITTANEY | Reporter

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lizabeth Earnest likes basketball, royal blue, and teaching, and someday she wants to be a principal.

Earnest works as a fourth-grade teacher at Maxfield Elementary School. She’s been teaching for nine years — since she was 21. She went to college for four years to learn how to teach, and now she’s in grad school to learn how to be a principal.

“I want to teach kids things they don’t know, and I wanted to help them in their futures,” Earnest told her students. “I love teaching you guys new things.”

Earnest doesn’t have children of her own, but she likes to say she has 28 kids because she feels like her students are her children. Outside of the classroom, she likes playing basketball, being with her husband, and following her dreams of being a principal.

“Mrs. Earnest is very nice and doesn’t lose her temper often,” fourth-grade student Brittaney said.

“I want to teach kids things they don’t know, and I wanted to help them in their futures. I love teaching you guys new things.”

Edited by Bethany Gustafson

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Wisconsin 12%

Florida 15%

California 21%

Hawaii 21%

New York 31%

Meet Mrs. Earnest’s Class:

Where would you most like to go?

Derrick and a friend play on iPads in the art room Nov. 3. They were dressed up for picture day. | Caption by Tie’vell

DEMETRIUS

DAMION

IF YOU COULD EAT A MEAL WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? Damion

IF YOU COULD EAT A MEAL WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? Demetrius

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Bob’s Burgers

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Bunked

IF YOU GOT A PET TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT? Smoky

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IF YOU GOT A PET TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT? Brook

Samya was taking pictures of classmates in the third grade hall on picture day. She wanted to take photos for the whole day. | Caption by Damion

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Damion sat at his desk and read a comic book in class to take a break.

The room was full of noisy and excited students. | Caption by Hezekiah

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What is your favorite time of year?

Summer 53% Winter 25% Spring 11% Fall 11%

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JANIYIA

IF YOU COULD EAT A MEAL WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? My friend

IF YOU COULD EAT A MEAL WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? God

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Comedy

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Stranger Things

IF YOU GOT A PET TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT? Tom

IF YOU GOT A PET TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT? Twinkies dog

Five students play a game in Elizabeth Earnest’s class Nov. 3. It was picture day and they were playing a game called Scream. Hezekiah did not like playing the game. | Caption by Gishuu and Mickaela

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Meet Mrs. Earnest’s Class:

YKCIR

VICTORIA

IF YOU COULD EAT A MEAL WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? Washington

IF YOU COULD EAT A MEAL WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? My aunt

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Spongebob

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Scary

IF YOU GOT A PET TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT? Runt

IF YOU GOT A PET TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT? Sofia

What is your favorite sport?

Basketball 48% Football 15% Tennis 15% Soccer 11% Other 11%

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Victoria writes on the board on after she was done practicing taking pictures Nov. 3. She had her hair ready for picture day.

Caption by Damion.

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Around Maxfield:

Second-grade students read a book in the library Nov. 3 during library time. | Caption and photo by Mickaela

Chloe, Jayla and Gay Na Ree pose for a picture together in the hallway. | Caption by Chloe

Pre-K students play with Play-Doh in a Pre-K classroom Nov. 3. | Caption by Gishuu

Ms. Xiong was reading to the little kids in the library Nov. 3. | Caption by Brittaney

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I am somebody

By GISHUU, JANIYIA, GAY NA REE and DAMION | Reporters

Gishuu, Janiyia, Gay Na Ree and Damion react to a question about whether Principal Vernosh likes Jordans or Nikes better. | Photo by Maddie Christy

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axfield fourth-graders from Elizabeth Earnest’s class sat down with Principal Ryan Vernosh to find out more about who he is and what he does. They talked about everything from working with President Obama to fostering 19 dogs.

What do you do when you’re not at school?

“I do lots of things when I’m not at school. I try to spend lots of time with my two daughters and my amazing wonderful wife. I also have a lot of school work that I have to do at home too.”

What is your favorite sport?

“My favorite sport to watch is football. Especially the Green Bay Packers. But my favorite

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sport to play is basketball. I played tennis, basketball and soccer in high school. I was fortunate enough to even play soccer in college.

One of my dreams was to be a professional soccer player, and my backup plan if that didn’t work out was to be a teacher. Always have a backup plan for a job because it’s super hard to become a pro athlete!”

Jordans or Nikes?

“I usually have Nikes, but I love Jordans. Growing up my family was really poor and Jordans were really expensive and I always wanted to get a pair of Jordans, but could never afford them. My family would always save up to help me buy shoes for basketball season but we always had to get the cheapest ones we could

find. I was jealous of my friends who could afford Jordans. Someday maybe I’ll splurge and get a pair of Jordans.”

Do you like to sleep a lot?

“I do love to sleep! Unfortunately I don’t get to sleep too much because I’m up late doing school work then up early in the morning. I try to catch up on the weekends, but that’s my time to spend with my wife and daughters so I try to see them as much as possible and not just sleep the whole time.”

What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

“I usually help make breakfast for my daughters right away. Well, but if I was really honest, the first thing I do is brew a pot of coffee. If I

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Why did you want to be principal?

“To help kids. That’s why I wanted to be a teacher, and that’s why I became a principal. I think there’s a lot of things we can do different in schools. I think there are ways we can support kids better, and I want to create a school that does that as well as give good opportunities to kids. Because you all are so important, we want to make sure you have opportunities to show your brilliance.”

Do you like being principal?

“I love being principal. I think it is the absolute best job in the world because I get to spend time with you and 312 other Maxfield scholars. I get to spend time with our incredible teachers, and I get to help them both be the best they can be. It’s the best job.”

“I love being principal. I think it is the absolute best job in the world because I get to spend time with you and 312 other Maxfield scholars.”

Janiyia covers a toothy smile by proudly holding up her reporter’s notebook that reads “Met the Principal”. Photo by Maddie Christy

don’t have my coffee right away in the morning I’m kind of a grumpy bear. I like a cup of coffee to wake me up.”

Who is your family?

“My wife is Sarah. We have been married for 12 years. I have a fourth-grade daughter named Maya and a first grade daughter named RayRay. Then we have three dogs right now. We have Skeeter and Ibby — our two permanent dogs. One thing you might not know about me is that we foster dogs. So dogs that are strays, we work with the rescue shelter to take care of them and make sure they get healthy and teach them what it’s like to be a good dog in a house. Then we try and find people to adopt the dogs so they can have their forever home. So right now we have a foster dog named Ricky. We have fostered 19 different dogs over the last two years. And sometimes it’s hard to say goodbye to those dogs.”

What’s your favorite part of being a principal?

“My favorite part is being able to work with young people like you. Every day when I come to school I get so excited to see you all coming in because you are all such amazing young people and I feel really lucky to be able to work with you.”

How did you meet Barack Obama?

“I have a picture of me and President Obama in the Oval Office. Back in 2010 I was Minnesota State Teacher of the Year. I was nominated by some nice people who thought I should be considered, and then I was lucky enough to be named Teacher of the Year.

And one of the cool things about it is that you get to go meet the President. I got flown out to Washington D.C. for a week. We got to tour the White House and Vice Presidential house and had lots of different galas. On White House day we were able to meet the President and I got to talk with him one on one for about one minute then we had a rose garden ceremony where the President gave a speech and we got to hang out behind him. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 14)

RYAN VERNOSH WANTS TO TRAVEL TO: Australia, Hawaii WANTS TO EAT DINNER WITH: Michelle Obama FAVORITE FOODS: Pizza with EVERYTHING on it!, ice cream FAMOUS PERSON: President Barack Obama THING TO DO: Spend time with my two daughters and wife TV SHOW: The West Wing SUPERHERO: Batman SUPERPOWER: Flying SUBJECT: Math SPORT: Football WHAT HE WOULD CHANGE IN THE WORLD: People to be open-minded about each other and accepting of differences.

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Principal Vernosh poses with Maxfield reporters after their interview Nov. 11. | Photo by Maddie Christy

“I was also fortunate enough to work for the President for a year in the 2012-2013 school year. I was a Teaching Ambassador Fellow. I was one of 12 people from across the country out of thousands that applied to work for the U.S. Department of Education under Secretary Arnie Duncan, who was my boss, and his boss was the President. I saw the President many different times and sat in some meetings with him that year. I got to travel around the country with the secretary of Education and talk to so many students and teachers.”

How many years have you been at Maxfield?

“This is my second year as principal. I taught at Maxfield for I think seven years and then I left to pursue a few other sorts of policy positions. Then when the last principal said she was leaving I said, ‘Oh oh pick me pick me, I want to be principal!’ I wanted to come home to Maxfield — it really feels like home after having taught here for so many years and now being back as principal. It’s a dream job.”

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How long are you planning to stick around here?

“I hope to stay here for a very long time. It’s such a cool place to be with amazing young people.”

Do you have a specific goal or dream for Maxfield?

“To me it’s making sure that Maxfield is a place where every young scholar can excel and is happy to come to school, and where everyone can leave being a good reader, writer, mathematician, scientist and critical thinker. It’s to make sure that everyone has the skills to be successful in middle school and to believe in themselves. I want all students to believe in their brilliance. Because a lot of time young people don’t believe in themselves; they will believe what other people have to say about them instead. That they cause trouble or that they don’t care about school. But that’s bologna. So we say, ‘I am somebody,’ so no one else can tell us what we’re capable of.”

Additional reporting by Maddie Christy

DEMARCUS GRADE: Fourth TEACHER: Julie Harrington FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza FAVORITE SUPERHERO: Black Panther IF HE COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD: Poverty

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Electric anything Demarcus, a fourthgrader at Maxfield Elementary, has big dreams of becoming a scientist.

By ARIONNA and ZAREYAH | Reporters

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emarcus enjoys gym class, playing basketball and doing flips at recess with his friend Jamil.

If he could travel to anywhere in the world he would go to Africa.

His favorite subject in school is science, because he gets to learn about new things. When he grows up he wants to be a scientist and find new ways to work with electricity.

“Well, when I’m a scientist I really wanna make electricity out of mostly anything. Just not the main things that make electricity,” Demarcus said.

“Well, when I’m a scientist I really wanna make electricity out of mostly anything.”

He enjoyed working with the Bethel journalism students, taking photos and learning how to ask good interview questions. If he could have any job other than scientist, he wants to be like his dad.

“If I didn’t get a job I would want to be the same thing as my dad. He’s a comedian,” Demarcus said.

Edited by Mady Fortier

Maxfield student Demarcus smiles as he answers questions asked by his classmates Nov. 10. He tells them about his favorite superhero and how he wants to be a scientist when he grows up. | Photo by Jason Stormer

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Here’s to Harrington Julie Harrington’s love for teaching will not be stopped.

By KEAIRRA | Reporter

ulie Harrington loves being a teacher. It’s something she’s known she’s wanted to do since she was in Ms. Crowningshield’s second-grade class.

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for wanting to teach,” Harrington said. “She still stops in every year to come see my students, calls me a lot and keeps in touch with other members of my family. She’s a very important part of my life.”

Harrington has taught at Maxfield over the last seven years. Before coming to Maxfield, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls grad taught second and third grade at Red Wing Christian Academy in Red Wing, Minn. After doing some guest teaching at Maxfield, Harrington was offered to be a full time fourth-grade teacher and claims it’s been a special fit.

However, Harrington has also had people in her life that got in the way of becoming a teacher.

“I think we have a very special group of people at Maxfield who take care of each other in a way that other schools don’t,” Harrington said.

Julie Harrington puts her arm around one of her fourth-graders, Jamall, as students return to the classroom after taking pictures around Maxfield Elementary’s campus Nov. 3. | Photo by Jason Stormer

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Harrington’s also had many people to help her along her way to a career in teaching.

Ms. Crowningshield is one of those people. At 95 years old, Crowningshield was able to visit Harrington’s class earlier this fall, something she has done each year Harrington has been a teacher.

“Ms. Crowningshield is still a part of my life. She’s my inspiration

“I had a teacher in ninth grade who was a jerk,” Harrington said.

“He taught my older brother, who was really, really smart. He told me I was nothing like my brother, wasn’t very smart and would never be a teacher, so I decided I needed to prove him wrong.”

Several years later, that teacher’s comments don’t bother Harrington. She’s confident that her ninth-grade teacher’s assumptions aren’t indicative of what she’s been able to and will accomplish as a teacher.

“I felt I proved that teacher wrong when one of my past students, for the first time ever, came to visit me,” Harrington said. “That proved to me that not only was I a good teacher, but that the students felt that way, too.”

Edited by Jason Stormer

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Jumping right in

A new school isn’t stopping fifth-grader Muhamud from exuding enthusiasm throughout his day.

By DERRICK | Reporter

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uhamud enjoys football so much that he wants to be a pro player when he grows up — just look outside at recess. It’s his first year at Maxfield Elementary, but you wouldn’t know that because of all the energy and excitement he displays during the day.

A fifth-grader at Maxfield Elementary, Muhamud finds joy in sports. Every afternoon, you can spot him on the football or soccer field or on the basketball court. But starting at a new Muhamud ponders a question asked during his interview. He was excited to be in the interviewee chair to entertain his classmates’ questions. “I like interviewing because I get to see what people think in their

school gave him more opportunities than just athletics.

“It’s very fun. I have never had Public Achievement. Never had culture class either. I feel like it is going to be a great year,” Muhamud said.

“Well, it’s not my choice to go to this school, because I don’t have any other schools to go to. But I have lots to do at this school, like Public Achievement and when the Bethel students come in. That’s very fun.”

Muhamud explained what he would do if he had $6.6 billion and also what his goals would be if he became president.

“First of all, I would stop racism,” Muhamud said. “And I would give the money to poor people in a bunch of countries. I’d just waste all my money on that.”

That’s a pretty good thing to “waste” money on.

Edited by Jared Martinson

Fifth-grader Muhamud is a first-year student at Maxfield Elementary in St. Paul. He emphatically believes Michael Jordan is the best basketball player ever. “Michael Jordan, he’s the G.O.A.T.,” Muhamud firmly explained.

head,” Muhamud said. | Photo by Da’Carri

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Meet Mrs. Harrington’s Class:

NOAH IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? No zombies WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Flying WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL? Playing Nintendo Switch

Fourth-graders Keairra and Zareyah takes notes as they listen to another classmates story Nov. 6.

This activity encouraged the students to pay close attention to details and document important moments. | Photo by Jason Stormer

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JAMIL

LAKEISHA

LAKOYIA

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Murderers

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would change every body would have worlds peace

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Having guns

WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Super speed WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL? Flip

WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Talking to animals WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL? Watch Netflix with cousin

WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Invisibility WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL? Play on my tablet

Top: Fourth-grader Jamall has fun on the playground. | Photo by Jason Stormer Bottom: Fourth-grader Kynadi takes notes during fellow student Demarcus’s Q&A on Nov. 10. | Photo by Mady Fortier

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Left: Fourth-grade Zareyah and another student braid the hair of an art class student Nov. 3. Bethel mentor Jason Stormer’s students wanted to go to the art room because of how colorful it was. | Photo

by Jason Stormer Right: Fourth-grader Amyah looks at her notes after the conclusion of her classmate Demarcus’s Q&A Nov. 10. Amyah asked lots of questions during the interview and now she’s deciding what answers will make the cut. | Photo by Jason Stormer

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ALEX

MAKELA

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? All bad things

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? For people to be kind

WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Reading minds

WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Reading minds

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL? Read

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL? Watch tv

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KEIVONNAH

CHRIS

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? No more killing people

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would have a job

WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Invisibility

WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Invisibility

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL? Make stuff or sleep

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL? Play

What superpower would you want to have?

Fourth-grader Jamil asks fellow student Demarcus a question during a student Q&A Nov. 10. Jamil wanted to know what kind of shoes Demarcus likes. | Photo by Jason Stormer

36%

Invisibility

22%

Flying

15%

Talking to Animals

15%

Super Speed

12%

Reading Minds

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Kindergarten teaching assistant hopes to make learning fun and provide stability for students.

By AMYAH, LAKOYIA and PARKER | Reporters

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ristina Archila comes from a background with less stability and hopes to change that for other kids at Maxfield Elementary if she can. Archila, in her seventh year at Maxfield, says she is intentional about creating relationships with kids and their families. She also believes in having fun and being silly while learning.

How did you get here and why you are passionate about what you do here?

“I started off as a Minnesota Reading Corps teacher in pre-K, and after two years of doing that I actually ended up getting hired on full time as a Kindergarten TA and I’ve been here ever since. I just really love it here, I’ve really gotten to know the families and the students here. It’s just been an amazing experience, all the kids have been amazing.”

Do you have any kids?

“I do not have kids. I have a cat. …

My cat is lazy, too. She’s old, though.

She’s 13.”

Where did you go to school?

“I went to the College of Southern Nevada, and didn’t finish, but I studied political science while I was there, which is why I am very into politics.”

Can you give us more of a timeline of your life?

“I was born in (Los Angeles). I lived there until I was 11. And then I moved to (Las) Vegas and lived there until I was 21, and I’ve lived (in the Twin Cities) ever since. And I’ve worked only at Maxfield, as my bread and butter.”

Why do you like doing patrol?

“I really like doing patrol because I

love the field trip at the end of the year. But I also love patrol because it’s another way I can connect with the older scholars, since most of my kids that I work with are either in pre-K or kindergarten. It’s a nice way that I get to work with you again when you’re in fourth and fifth grade.

“I used to work for an after school program, which offered me another way to get to know the families and stuff. And so, it’s just really nice, like when I’ve had former students and families come and talk to me and say hi to me. There’s one family in particular, the mom’s name is Ms. Laura, and she used to drive about six or seven to kids to school every day. And none of those kids go here anymore but she still swings by and sees me and asks me how I’m doing.

I don’t know, I really value that.

When I was little I moved around a lot, I didn’t stay at the same school, so it’s just a different experience that I get to have now in the school system.”

What do you do in your free time?

“In my free time, I read a lot of news.

I’m very political. So I’m usually engaged in something on the activism front. I also enjoy biking, so when it’s warm out, I do that. I like to hang out with my cat.”

What sports do you play?

“Other than biking, I don’t really play sports, but I really like to watch roller derby because my friends are on the roller derby team back home.”

What’s going on in the activism front for you right now?

“Ahah, well. Usually, I will try to go to Black Lives Matter rallies, especially after what happened with Philando (Castile) and that hitting so close to home, because he worked

at the school just right over here, so it really impacted the community.

So, I do a lot of that kind of stuff. Or right now I’m really into anti-guns type of stuff. I’m from Vegas, so, again, what happened in October hit very close to home. So, not necessarily anti-gun but more gun control is really important to me right now. I’m really pushing having those conversations about having mental health screening and doing background checks. Not taking people’s guns away, of course, but just being more responsible.”

How and why did you end up here?

“My relationship with my boyfriend brought me here. I’m still with him. But he and I had met, and then Vegas — I think the culture is changing, but at the time the culture wasn’t anything that I really connected with. It’s a very fastpaced culture. It might be changing now because of everything that happened, but at the time it wasn’t as community-based. So I really value that about the Twin Cities.

People really care about what’s happening here. Even little things like lending libraries. I had never seen that until I moved here. I’d never heard of a community garden until I moved here, so those little things are what I really value about Minnesota.”

What’s your favorite thing to do with your kids at school?

“My favorite thing to do is sing songs with the kids and be silly, because then other kids feel comfortable being silly. School should be fun, in my opinion. It shouldn’t be super serious. It’s a serious time to learn but I like having fun with the kids while they’re learning.”

What’s your favorite subject in school? (CONTINUED ON PAGE 24)

MS. CRISTINA ARCHILA BIRTHDAY: June 22.

AGE: 27 FAVORITE FOOD: tamales, ice cream TV SHOW: Stranger Things SUPERHERO: La Araña SUPERPOWER: Reading minds SUBJECT: History CELEBRITY: Childish Gambino WANTS TO VISIT: South America, California WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Senator Bernie Sanders WHEN SHE GROWS UP: When I was younger I wanted to be the first Latina president.

IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IN THE WORLD: I would want everyone to be empathetic and tolerant towards one another.

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“My favorite subject is history. It’s always been my favorite subject.

In fact, when I was in third grade my grandma gave me a history textbook as my Christmas present, and I read the whole thing I don’t know how many times, and I loved it and I love history. History helps keep us accountable, and if you don’t know your history, then you’re doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.”

Poetry and positivity

What is your favorite grade to work with?

“My favorite grade to work with is kindergarten, that’s the grade I work with now. But I enjoy working with the older grades too, especially on patrol.”

Why do you care about your work at Maxfield?

“I’m very passionate about the work I do in the school. Ultimately my goal, especially with the little kids, is to be a stable adult in their lives, so to be a friend.

Because sometimes, you know, unfortunately some of the kids’ narratives ... they may not have that, so having a stable adult in their lives who loves them no matter who they are and what they do, that’s my ultimate goal.”

Why do you like this job?

“I just love you guys. I love being here. I love seeing you guys’ faces every day. I’ve been privileged enough to watch you guys grow.

Matthew for sure was in my pre-K class, her older brother, and he’s in fifth grade now. That’s the first group I ever worked with and it’s been an amazing journey seeing who you guys have turned out to be.”

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Jenny Gruber answers questions from her students

Additional reporting by Sierra Smith

for a teacher interview that took place in her fifth-

and Josh Towner

grade classroom Oct. 30. | Photo by Jared Martinson

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Maxfield teacher Jenny Gruber loves her students, and her life.

By GRAYCEN | Reporter

J

enny Gruber went to college in Duluth at UMD for four years, and then did her student-teaching in the cities at Mississippi Creative Arts. She loves to travel to warm and tropical places, and in her free time, likes to go to movies, watch TV, go to meat raffles, play bingo, and sing karaoke.

Jamal uses a pen as a microphone in a teacher interview

JENNY GRUBER

of Jenny Gruber at Maxfield Elementary School Oct. 30 in

NAME: Jenny Gruber

Gruber’s fifth-grade classroom. Jamal asked Gruber what

WANTS TO TRAVEL TO: Australia and New York

her favorite TV show is. “It’s good to get to know Ms. Gruber better,” Jamal said. | Photo by Aaron Herbst

A fifth-grade teacher at Maxfield Elementary School, Gruber helped Bethel editors with The Maxfield Times by letting her students interview her Oct. 30, in her classroom. In the interview, she said she likes teaching all subjects, especially poetry. She doesn’t like teaching social studies, however, because she says she’s not good at that.

FAVORITE SUPERHERO: Wonder Woman SUPERPOWER SHE WANTS: Talking to animals LOVES: Hanging out with friends and family

“I love working with kids,” said Gruber. “I like watching from the beginning of the school year how much they grow to the end of the school year. And just being a positive role model in the lives of all of you wonderful people.”

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Literacy IF SHE COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD: “More money into education and eliminate debt”

If Gruber were rich, she would buy a new car, build a deck in the back of her house, and pay off her student loans. As a child, she wanted to be a cake decorator and decorate fancy roses on cakes and write people’s “happy birthday” messages. She loves being a teacher, and also loves her students.

“I miss all my students when they leave,” said Gruber.

“I’ve got shrines of them on my walls and my fridge at home. I miss all of them.”

Edited by Aaron Herbst

FAVORITE FOOD: French Fries

Parish writes down potential questions to ask Jenny Gruber during the Oct. 30 interview in Gruber’s fifthgrade classroom. | Photo by Aaron Herbst

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Meet Ms. Gruber’s Class:

KENNY

ANTONIO

GRADE: Fifth

GRADE: Fifth

FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken

FAVORITE FOOD: Nachos

FAVORITE TV SHOW: SpongeBob

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Spongebob

DREAM JOB: Basketball player

DREAM JOB: Basketball player

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Math

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Gym

Hugs were shared in Jenny Gruber’s classroom between Graycen and Robin. The class was participating in a game called puking dinosaur Nov. 10. SyVianne was also having a good time. | Photo by Aaron Herbst

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Da’Carri whispers a secret phrase in a game of “Telephone” in Jenny Gruber’s fifth-grade class Nov. 6. | Photo by Aaron Herbst

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Jamal uses a pen as a microphone to interview Muhamud.

Jenny Gruber’s fifthgrade class at Maxfield Elementary interviewed Muhamud on Nov. 10. | Photo by Aaron Herbst

What’s your favorite type of movie?

Comedy 45% Action 16% Animated 15% Fairytale 15% Romantic 5% Documentary 4%

What’s your favorite time of year?

Summer 54% Winter 26% Spring 11% Fall 9%

MATTHEW

STEVEN

ANGELINA

GRADE: Fifth

GRADE: Fifth

GRADE: Fifth

FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken

FAVORITE FOOD: Taco

FAVORITE FOOD: Grapes

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Sonic or Transformers

FAVORITE TV SHOW: The Amazing World of Gumball

FAVORITE TV SHOW: None

DREAM JOB: Scientist

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Math

DREAM JOB: Animator FAVORITE SUBJECT: All of them

DREAM JOB: Architect

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Math

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Meet Ms. Gruber’s Class:

Derrick prepares a question for Muhamud for the student feature for The Maxfield Times. | Photo by Aaron Herbst

What’s your favorite superhero?

20%

Wonder Woman

16% 9%

Batman

5%

Black Panther

5%

Spiderman

DA’CARRI

GRAYCEN

JAMAL

GRADE: Fifth

GRADE: Fifth

GRADE: Fifth

FAVORITE FOOD: Taco

FAVORITE FOOD: Watermelon

FAVORITE FOOD: Taco

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Worst Cooks in America

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Impractical Jokers

DREAM JOB: Veterinarian

Dream job: Basketball player

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Math

Favorite subject: Math

5%

Superman

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Empire

5%

Wolverine

DREAM JOB: Dancer

35%

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Cat Woman

Others

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Reading

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Left: Everett tries to score double points by throwing a ball in a milk crate at Rites of Passage. | Photo by Aaron Herbst Below: Steven writes down an answer from Muhamud for the student feature for the Maxfield Times. | Photo

by Katie Saffell

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Creating the B Through-line

rother Qadash Zayan Yasharahla is an educational systems navigator for the Cultural Wellness Center at Maxfield Elementary.

He coaches basketball and teaches Rites of Passage, a program for boys and girls to go to separate classrooms to learn about culture. He sees himself in the students at Maxfield, and he likes to push kids and help them achieve.

Angelina: Why did you want to come (to Maxfield)?

Brother Qadash works to instill core values and bring harmony to students’ lives.

DA’CARRI and ANGELINA | Reporters

Qadash: “Well, the organization that I work for is the Cultural Wellness Center. They have a contract with the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood. This was one of the schools we have a contract with who saw a need for cultural wellness and the things that we offer: in building culture, and building self-mastery, and people and students knowing that when people understand their culture and values and customs, it gives them a sense of pride and self worth when you get a connection back to your true identity.

“That’s why I believe Maxfield really wanted us to be in the schools. Because the school is like the front line. You gotta train a child up in the way they should go, and they won’t stray from it, you know. You’ve got to get these core values young, so they can be instilled when they’re young.”

Da’Carri: Why did you want to be a basketball coach?

Qadash: “I’ve always loved basketball. You know, having any opportunity I can to instill values and teach discipline. Basketball is a way to give children incentives to be great. You know, some students need that little extra push. It’s called a student-athlete: student first, athlete second. To be on the basketball team you have to have good grades and be on good behavior.

“Being a basketball coach is one of the ways you can nurture a child, and students in a different type of way — not the classroom setting. Mix that with my passion — I’ve always loved basketball — it just kind of worked out.”

Brother Qadash welcomes Makell to the Cultural Wellness Center on Nov. 3 for Rites of Passage. | Photo by Aaron Herbst

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Katie: What are some of the core values you see coming through in your students?

Qadash: “Discipline. Brotherhood. And sisterhood as well.

We really work hard and basketball is a good way to show that as a team. You’re not individual. You can try to shoot all the shots and not pass the ball, and you will not be successful. It teaches you how to work together. You’re stronger together than apart. So some of the values that I see coming out is that, you know, real brotherhood and sisterhood. Students loving each other. Loving each other

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like they love their self. Looking at each other like a brother or a sister instead of just some guy, some kid.

“So, as far as the principles that I’m seeing, ‘cause we work on them all the time: Order. Truth. Propriety — you know, doing things the proper way. Reciprocity — the energy you put into the world is gonna come back to you.

Balance, you know — you gotta have balance in your life.

Too much of anything isn’t good for you. Justice — being a fair person. Cheaters never win. No justice, no peace.

You gotta be a fair person, and be in harmony.

“Order, truth, propriety, reciprocity, balance and justice.

Once you have all those principles in you life, that creates the seventh value, which is harmony.”

Katie: When you’re working with students — on the court or off the court — what do you find to be the biggest challenge?

Qadash: “Sometimes, creating a through-line. You can instill all these values on the court or in the classroom, but if the same things are not practiced at home, it’s kind of like you’re re-doing every time you come back.

“I would say that could be the biggest challenge. And sometimes, maybe, not being able to have the resources that you need to support a family or a child like they need to be supported. Sometimes the resources are just not there. That’s why we deal with so much homelessness. It’s hard for a kid to really think about being this great person and instilling all these values when they’re wondering where they’re going to sleep from night to night or eat from night to night.

“The emotional thing can be, like, I give so much. I love these students — I look at them like they could be my little brothers and sisters, my own children. I have children that age ... You give so much — and they need so much attention, so you give so much — and you’re paid back when that child comes back to you and they say, “Hey, what you told me, it saved my life,” or “it helped me to be a better person,” and, “Thank you.” You see this great child, who maybe used to get D’s and F’s, and after you’ve been working with them for so long, now he’s an A and B student. So the greatest pleasure can also be the greatest challenge. ‘Cause it’s draining. ‘Cause, after you give all that love and affection to these children that need it so much, then you gotta take a break for a little bit and go home and be Dad and Husband and Brother and Son and Uncle. But the energy that’s taken out is definitely rewarded when you see the child turn around. But then there’s the emotional part, when you can’t help. When there’s nothing you can do.”

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Da’Carri: Do you have any siblings?

Qadash: “Yes. I have a lot, actually. I gotta get my fingers up. Yeah, so it’s seven. Eight of us all together.

Five brothers and two sisters. And I’m the — well, I always say I’m the oldest, but technically my sister is two months older.”

Katie: You said you have kids this age?

Qadash: “Yes, I have a 15-year-old son, a 12-year-old daughter, an 11-year-old daughter, and a one-year-old daughter. So we took a break for 11 years and started over with a one-year-old. She’s actually going on two in March.”

Katie: How do you see your work here translate to your life at home?

Qadash: “That’s one of our things: our work is our life.

You know, you can’t take somebody somewhere you haven’t been. So the principles that I instill — I instill in my life, I instill into my children — that’s how I run my life. So I know that they work because they work for me.”

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Additional reporting by Katie Saffell

7 THE CULTURAL WELLNESS CENTER’S SEVEN CORE VALUES:

Order +

Truth +

Propriety +

Reciprocity +

Balance +

Justice =

Harmony Da’Carri and Angelina take notes in an interview with Brother Qadash in the library at Maxfield Elementary Nov. 16. | Photo by Katie Saffell

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Place of peace

Maxfield’s newest student Ademola adjusts to his new life in the United States.

By LAVONTAE | Reporter

A

demola is a fifth grade student in Brandi Pottle’s class at Maxfield Elementary. Ademola was born in Nigeria and lived there most of his life. His family migrated to the United States this year. In Nigeria, they had a lot of wars and people fought.

He didn’t think Nigeria was safe.

“The reason why I moved here from Nigeria is because Nigeria is a dangerous place,” Ademola said.

One of the many dangers in Nigeria was police corruption. While some are good police officers, others aren’t.

“They got jail. Some police sell people, some police don’t. And it’s life. It’s real.”

As of November, Ademola lives in Minnesota. He enjoys the cold weather it has to offer, a contrast to his life in Nigeria, which was hot and rainy. “(The snow) feels good. And it feels cold,” Ademola said about the Minnesota weather.

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His favorite food in America is rice with anything on it. In Nigeria, he ate local food such as eba, amala and fufu. The two countries have different ways of eating their food.

Above: Ademola crosses

“In Nigeria, you use your hand and put it in the food to eat it. But in America, some people use spoons,” Ademola said.

dents around Ademola also

He attended a baptist school while in Nigeria. Unlike with Maxfield, they had to pay to go to school. He had many friends like his best friend, Fayvo. But in Pottle’s class, he has no favorites.

Godfrey Mpetey.

“Everyone is my friend,” Ademola said.

Ademola lived his entire life in Nigeria.

Overall, Ademola prefers his new home in Minnesota. His life in Nigeria wasn’t good, but he enjoys where he is now.

“Because this place has peace,” Ademola said. “In Nigeria, they’ve just got problems. Every time.”

Edited by Godfrey Mpetey

his arms while tasting dried mango during yoga time at Maxfield Nov. 9. Many stutried the dried mango and found it delicious. | Photo by

ADEMOLA TEACHER: Ms. Pottle GRADE: Fifth WOULD MOST LIKE TO TRAVEL TO: Australia FAVORITE SUPERHERO: Flash IF HE COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE: Stop (people from) taking bad drugs

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Lavontae and Trevon raise their hands as Brandi Pottle gestures her answer to a question during her interview at Maxfield Elementary on Halloween. Students had the chance to ask Pottle questionas they had written themselves and recorded in their notebooks. Many students were curious about

B Teaching through inspiration Maxfield teacher encourages students as a teacher once encouraged her.

By HTOO and TREVION | Reporters

randi Pottle brought snacks to her Maxfield Elementary class on Halloween — her favorite holiday, tied with Christmas. She gave the snacks funny and creative names, like marshmallows, which she gave the name “ghost droppings.” More food that she brought was pretzel sticks, Bugles, Twizzlers, cheese balls and Kool-Aid, which she called skeleton bones, witch fingers, vampire veins, pumpkin poop and ghoul aid. Pottle’s students think she is very creative, always.

Pottle works as a fifth grade teacher in Maxfield Elementary School. She started being a teacher in 1999 and she has been at Maxfield for 14 years. She wants to stay a teacher until she retires. Pottle was inspired to become a teacher by her third grade teacher Mrs. Cunnien.

“She just made me feel so good and proud of myself,” Pottle told her students. “And so that’s what I wanted to do and share with the kids that I get to work with, like you guys.

Celebrate your gifts.”

Pottle encourages others and students. For example, she encourages students to work hard. Division is one thing that she has helped her students on, along with spelling and reading. Her favorite subject is math.

“I like being a teacher because I get to build relationships with you guys and your families,” said Pottle. “And I love being a teacher. I think it’s the most rewarding job that there is.”

how Pottle came to be a teacher. | Photo by Kailyn Hill

BRANDI POTTLE GRADE: Fifth WANTS TO TRAVEL TO: Africa & Hawaii FAVORITE VACATION SO FAR: Visiting her sister-in-law in Australia FAVORITE FOODS: Indian or Mexican food, cake, tea and Baby Ruth bars FAVORITE SUPERHERO: Wonder Woman SUPERPOWER SHE WANTS: Invisibility PET SHE WANTS: A cat named Hunter or Abby LIKES: Basketball, softball, math and spending time with her family IF SHE COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD: “I would make sure we have world peace.”

Edited by Deanna Benyo

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Meet Ms. Pottle’s Class:

TREVON GRADE: Fifth

Eh Tha Da writes in her journalism notebook during free-time in Brandi Pottle’s classroom at Maxfield Elementary Oct. 31. She wore a bright purple mask on top of her head to celebrate Halloween. | Photo by Kailyn Hill

WANTS TO TRAVEL TO: Hawaii FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR: Summer FAVORITE DESSERT: Brownies FAVORITE FAMOUS PERSON: Usain Bolt

ADONIA GRADE: Fifth FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza FAVORITE TYPE OF MOVIE: Comedy SIBLINGS: 3 FAVORITE FAMOUS PERSON: Taylor Swift

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Eh Tha Da, Heaven and Rebecca willfully shut their eyes as they fall asleep during yoga time in their classroom at Maxfield Elementary Nov. 2. Others around the room also laid their heads down for quiet time. | Photo by Godfrey Mpetey

Htoo pounds the drum soothingly during yoga time in Brandi Pottle’s classroom at Maxfield Elementary Nov. 2. The room light was turned off and other students stood in a circle. | Photo by Tatiana Lee

HEAVEN GRADE: Fifth FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT: Writing FAVORITE DESSERT: Cake FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN NOT IN SCHOOL: Go to my sister’s house FAVORITE SPORT: Basketball

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Meet Ms. Pottle’s Class:

How many siblings do you have?

28% 10% 6%

More than 6 6 Siblings 5 siblings

17%

Above: Everett, London and their teacher Brandi Pottle plop on the ground listening as Bethel University students (not pictured) introduce themselves at Maxfield Elementary Oct. 24. The Bethel students had arrived just minutes before and were preparing to break into small groups to talk about journalism. | Photo by Godfrey Mpetey

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4 Siblings

20%

3 Siblings

9%

2 Siblings

9%

1 Sibling

1% 1 sibling

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Upper right: Heaven and Trevon play human rock, paper, scissors in Brandi Pottle’s classroom at Maxfield Elementary Oct. 24. Huge smiles played on their faces as excitement from the friendly game buzzed in the air. | Photo

by Tatiana Lee

What’s your favorite dessert?

Ice Cream 40% Brownies 23% Cake 12% Pie 9% Cookies 7% Other 9%

RILEY

EH THA DA

LONDON

GRADE: Fifth

GRADE: Fifth

GRADE: Fifth

JOB: Cop

WANTS TO TRAVEL TO: Asia

FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR: Winter

FAVORITE DESSERT: Ice Cream

DREAM JOB: Fashion designer

FAVORITE SUPERHERO: Catwoman

SUPERPOWER SHE WANTS: Talking to animals

7%

Black Panther

7%

Wolverine

WANTS TO EAT A MEAL WITH: Anne Frank

IF SHE GOT A NEW PET TOMORROW, SHE WOULD NAME IT: Sparkle

7%

Superman

7%

Spiderman

7%

Flash

FAVORITE SUPERHERO: Black Panther FAVORITE TV SHOW: Spongebob SUPERPOWER HE WANTS: Invisibility

What is your favorite superhero?

27%

Wonder Woman

22%

Catwoman

16%

Batman

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The Green Room

At Maxfield Elementary, Ms. Fallon spends her days helping kids get their wiggles out so that they can focus more on learning

By TEAVY | Reporter

T

he first thing you see when you walk into the Green Room at Maxfield Elementary in St. Paul, Minnesota is a punching bag. After spending more time in the room, you’ll also see exercise bikes, trampolines, bean bags, and art supplies.

This is the room where students from any grade can come during the day if they need a break from sitting in a desk chair.

Where did you go to school to end up where you are now?

What do you do at Maxfield and what’s this room for?

“My favorite color is what I’m wearing!

I love red. There’s so many colors I love, though, I could just ramble them off. I love bright colors but red would be my favorite.”

“At Maxfield I am what they call a restorative practice coordinator. So, we started implementing restorative practice in our schools last year, but this year it’s just like trying to take it up to the next level, so this room — the Green Room — is dedicated to about 45 kids that are scheduled to come in and do movement breaks, where they come and get 10 to 15 minutes of active or calm activity before they return to class.”

What’s your favorite food?

Ms. Fallon grins cheerfully while following up to Teavy’s questions during the interview at Maxfield Elementary Nov. 16. Ms. Fallon wore a bright red shirt and a mickey mouse scarf, who is her favorite character. | Photo by Tatiana Lee

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“My favorite food, that’s tough. I love pizza, and I love broccoli, and I love potatoes. I found a baked potato pizza that has all the things that I like on it so it’d probably be a baked potato pizza.”

“Ms. Fallon is currently still a student at St. Paul College.” -Teavy

“I am currently still a student myself, so I am at St. Paul College. Youth services is what I’m going to school for, but just working and ending up here is how I landed my position and where I’m at now.”

What is your favorite color?

“Ms. Fallon has no pets, she says she can’t even keep fish alive. However, she has 3 kids. The oldest is 14, the middle kid is 9 and the baby is three years old.”

-Teavy Do you have any pets? If you do names and what kind?

“I do not have any pets. I am like, the worst. I’m not good at pets. I kill fish so I’m not a person to have pets. I do have three children. I have a 14-year-old son, a nine-year-old son, and a three-year-old daughter.”

“This year is going to be the first time in 20 years her whole family is doing Thanksgiving together.” -Teavy

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Are you doing anything fun for the holidays?

When they come in for their active breaks, what kinds of things do you have them do?

“Well, typically on the holidays, most of my family lives here so we all get together and have Thanksgiving together. In the past, a lot of our relatives have been incarcerated so this year will be the first year in twenty years that everybody has been home. So this will be the super special one. “

“When they come in, typically they need to start off in Station 1, and Station 1 would be where the punching bag and bike is, and on the other side of the divider here there’s a bean bag for quiet time. And then we have station 2. We use the stairs for them to run up and down on, and then there’s a bike and a trampoline there and a jumping rope hanging up that they can use too. We have a little box of art stuff in it, too, so they can do artsy stuff, and then they move on to Station 3 where there’s another trampoline and they can do yoga, and there’s the other quiet zone.”

“Ms. Fallon met Angela Davis when she went to Washington D.C. Angela Davis is a member of the Black Panthers, a civil rights group.” -Teavy Have you ever met any famous people?

“Oh I’ve met famous people! I haven’t met the famous people I really want to meet.

I’ve met Marian Wright Edelman, she was a lawyer for the civil rights movement.

She was the first African American woman lawyer on the civil rights movement. I also met, over the summer, Angela Davis. She’s part of the Black Panther movement.”

How did you meet her?

“I went to a conference in Washington D.C. and she was one of the keynote speakers at the conference.”

So who do you still want to meet?

“I am a super huge Kobe Bryant fan so I still want to meet Kobe Bryant and I still want to meet Jay-Z, and Queen Latifah. “ What’s your favorite movie?

“My all-time favorite movie is Pretty Woman, and it’s 80’s so I know you wouldn’t know it. Grease is my second favorite movie.”

What’s your favorite part of working here at Maxfield?

“My favorite part, that’s hard. I guess my favorite part would be being a part of the children’s lives every day, and helping assist them in their growth every day. I’ve got so many favorite things, I love it, I love my job, I love working here and I love the kids here.”

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Teavy thoughtfully writes down questions for the interview she is about to do at Maxfield Elementary Nov. 16. Teavy sat quietly in the hallway as she thought deeply about what good questions she should ask Ms. Fallon. | Photo by Tatiana Lee

So can the kids do this at any time of day?

Can they leave and come down?

“Yes. So what we have is the scheduled kids that come down and use the green pass, but then there’s also a yellow pass, and the yellow pass means you’re not scheduled but you can come in and have a movement break as well. And sometimes people use that for just processing with the child, like they just need a talk. Or they need an actual movement break if they were reading and couldn’t focus, just a variety of different things you can use it for. “ That’s such a great idea, I’ve never heard of a school having something like this before.

“Yeah, I want to say I believe we are the first in St. Paul to have it, but a couple of other schools have it now too.”

Ms. Fallon has a contagiously joyful personality, and she made us all feel at ease right away. Throughout the interview, I could easily see why she is so good at what she does in the Green Room at Maxfield.

She seems to be well-loved by the students, and her genuine interest in their well-being is just one example of the many staff and faculty and Maxfield Elementary that want nothing more than to see the students succeed to their fullest potential.

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The Maxfield Times editing staff FOURTEEN BETHEL STUDENTS PARTNERED WITH MAXFIELD TO CREATE THIS NEWSPAPER. THE COLLABORATION TOOK PLACE IN MAXFIELD CLASSROOMS TO CREATE A NEWSPAPER THAT REPRESENTED THE COMMUNITY AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE.

Editors would like to thank the following people for their assistance or financial support in making The Maxfield Times happen: • Maxfield Elementary students and staff • Maxfield Elementary teachers Elizabeth Earnest, Jenny Gruber, Julie Harrington, Brandi Pottle

Deanna Benyo Pottle

Bethany Gustafson Earnest

Jared Martinson Gruber

Jason Stormer Harrington

380 Victoria St N., Saint Paul, MN 55104

• Maxfield Principal Ryan Vernosh • St. Paul Public Schools

Principal Ryan Vernosh ryan.vernosh@spps.org

• Bethel Graphic Design Professor Jessica Henderson and her students • Bethel Associate Director of Community Engagement Tanden Brekke • Bethel Community Liaison for Office of Diversity Karen McKinney

M AX FIE LD E LE M E N TAR Y

Maddie Christy Earnest

Aaron Herbst Gruber

Godfrey Mpetey Pottle

Josh Towner Harrington

• Rick Berkner and the staff at North Star Media, who printed The Maxfield Times • The Johnson Center, founded by Kathy and Gene Johnson, which helped fund student reporter’s notebooks and printing of newspapers • Johnson Center Director Dave Kansas of Minnesota Public Radio

Maddie DeBilzan Earnest

Kailyn Hill Pottle

Katie Saffell Gruber

• Bethel Dean of Arts and Humanities Barrett Fisher

3900 Bethel Dr. Saint Paul, MN 55104 Professor Scott Winter s-winter@bethel.edu

• Bethel Associate Dean of Off Campus Programs Vincent Peters, Provost Deb Harless and President Jay Barnes Madyson Fortier Harrington

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Abby Petersen Earnest

B E THE L UN IVE R SITY English and Journalism Department

Tatiana Lee Pottle

Sierra Smith Harrington

FSU Assistant Director Tanden Brekke t-brekke@bethel.edu