Field+Work+Day+-+October+22+-+PACTT

On Monday, October 22, we took the Red Line to [|PACTT]. This time, our group was split across two campuses, since PACTT has opened an adult learning center at Morse and Ashland, about three blocks away from the original site. As usual, the first day was trial by fire for our students. Parker kids were put into classrooms without much orientation. Generally, this becomes a very "in-your-face" experience, with PACTT students very interested in their Parker cohorts. Boundaries are tested, limits are set, and our students venture far outside of their comfort zones. At times, they are not sure how to react to what they see and what they experience. Once again, our students rose to the occasion and assimilated right into the various activities of the day. They helped in language development, communication skills, and academic subjects; accompanied PACTT students on neighborhood walks; and concluded the morning helping with outside recess. During that time, much more casual interaction took place. One girl, named Mandy, who had a great deal of energy and spent much of her time yelling and running around the yard, would stop every so often and openly glare at us (Mike and Karen) and then resume her running. Seconds after Mike told Karen that Mandy didn't like her, Mandy threw herself on the ground, looked at Mike from about 15 or 20 yards away, and yelled, "Son-of-a-bitch!" Karen then calmly turned to Mike and said, "I think it's you." The day ended there. And as Forrest Gump would say, "[|That's all we have to say about that]."