‘I wish my teacher knew’: Harlem students provide space for anonymous confessions

MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WIFR) - A class of high school students offers an opportunity for peers to talk about what’s really on their minds as they walk the halls each day.

Students taking Harlem’s Introduction to Education class put together a bulletin board that others can leave anonymous notes. Post-its and pencils are readily available for students to participate in the project.

The social experiment stems from part of the class course material, “I Wish My Teacher Knew” by Kyle Schwartz.

The board’s design pays homage to the cover of Schwartz’s novel about the challenges students see year after year, and how educators can build a supportive classroom community rather than feel pressured to rescue each kid from their problems.

Harlem’s board is already adorned with notes of things students wish to share with their teachers, but usually keep private: “I wish my teacher knew that I don’t feel comfortable talking in front of my class;” “how hard school can really be;” “I wish my teacher knew I can barely get out of bed in the morning.”

These touching confessions are just a glimpse of what students tackle in adolescence. “I can’t afford to go to college, so I can’t attend,” one note reads.

Harlem District #122 shared photos of the project with the community Wednesday via social media, saying the community-building project is off to a positive start: