Journal Entry 5- Picture Day

One of the most exciting days of my field placement was the school’s picture day. The kids came in wearing their favorite outfits and they each asked me at least twice if I liked their outfits piece by piece. What I mean by this is that no one simply asked if I liked their outfit. A conversation would go like this. “Do you like my shoes?” I would reply with a “Yes, they’re very cool/pretty.” They would follow up with “Do you like my pants?” I would have to assert the fact that I liked every part of their ensemble before the final question “Do I look good?” As if I hadn’t already said that they did. I know that, that would annoy so many people but I found it so amusing. Also it helped that they truly did look really good. I saw puffy dresses, hair bows, sparkles, ironed button up shirts buttoned up to the top (however after the picture buttons were definitely undone to return to normal airflow).  

There was this one boy in particular who was overwhelmed with excitement about it being picture day. He could hardly sit still leading up to their class being called to take their photos. Periodically he would look at me with the widest smile and a twinkle in his eyes and say “It’s picture day! Yes!!” This kind of positivity and excitement was infectious.

And then just when these kids were about to burst the phone call came. The kids got in line and that is when I saw the nerves kick in. One boy was very paranoid about there being something on his face, students were practicing their smiles, and many were just quietly walking in line unsure of what they would face seeing as this was their first picture day.

When we got to the room where the pictures were being taken I heard many “oohs” and “ahs.” They looked wide eyed at the cameras and the backdrops. I remained by the door so that as they finished getting their pictures taken I could bring them back into the hallway where they were to sit against the wall until the class was finished. I remember it being difficult to keep them still and quiet  but they did their best.

While we waited I saw something that really upset me though. There was a kid from another class who really didn’t want to have his picture taken. He was so angry, almost to the point of tears, as the teacher was practically being dragged into the room. He yelled “I told you I don’t want to have my damn picture taken!” The teacher, unphased, just kept dragging the student to take his picture. It was odd that he had such a strong and negative reaction to picture day while everyone else was so happy. I wonder why, and I wonder if anyone bothered to ask him why. I think that I would have if I had the chance. I would have leveled with him and talked to him like a human being instead of taking away all of his power like that. During this class we talked a lot about power and how children don’t tend to have any. They always have to depend on and listen to adults. It must be so discouraging.