Different kind of classroom

My classroom is one-of-a-kind, and in our building there is only one teacher like me.

My classroom doesn’t have desks, textbooks or computers. I don’t require class work, homework, pens or pencils. The best part for students is that I don’t have quizzes or tests. You’ll never find me on iParent. Although I’m not the traditional schoolteacher, I have the stealth of a crime scene investigator, questioning countless complaints and helping students learn important lessons of self care. I don’t teach math, science, social studies, or art. At Wasilla Middle School, they call me Nurse Wendy.

Students come in waves. One, two, three at a time, sometimes groups of five. I wonder if they conspire to come at the same time. The teaching begins. My head hurts. I have a stomachache. I feel sick. My foot hurts. I hit my head. I smashed my finger. I just got braces yesterday. The complaints come with and without tears, pale faces, sweaty faces, red faces and stomachs cradled in hands. These are my cues to start the daily medical investigation. Did you eat breakfast? How much water have you had today? Did you hit your head recently? When did it start? Is anyone at home sick? Does your parent already know? How did it happen?

Questions lead to answers, which lead to more questions. I am the CSI Investigative Nurse.

Then the metaphors begin. My favorite is the empty gas tank. What happens to a car when it runs out of gas? I can see the equation spinning in their head. They already understand the importance of the question and have an answer. It stops. When you don’t eat breakfast, your body responds by using up stored energy. It doesn’t last very long, and when that runs out, you have no more gas. They get it. Next time just tell me you’re hungry so I don’t have to be the CSI Investigative Nurse. For the veteran student, I’m pleased when they can say, “My head hurts, and I haven’t had enough water. Can I have some Tylenol and I’ll drink extra water?”

Wow, they listened, they learned, my classroom is making a difference. Then when they are at home or all grown up, they can direct their own care.

My classroom has three beds, often times with students resting a late night off, trying to get over a headache or elevating an injury. Other times those same beds hold students with appendicitis or ovarian cysts. My classroom is filled with tongue depressors, thermometers, a stethoscope and band-aids in every shape and size. Ice packs in the freezer, ice bags to break and shake, stacks of tape, sterile gauze in rolls, hand sanitizer and Kleenex by the case. The list continues with extra Dixi cups, salt, cough drops, pain relievers and Tums. Can you swallow pills? If not, that’s OK, I have chewable and liquid, too. I have shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, body soap and even deodorant. My pretzels and mints are magic. I’m ready for anything.

I might not have rulers, calculators, laptops or maps, but have equally as important tools. The tools to teach, heal, comfort, calm and support the 827 students here at Wasilla Middle School. Just this year alone, there have been 117 reports of pain and 84 complaints of a headache, with a total of more than 500 documented health issues, each receiving individualized attention. On the days that I’m overwhelmed with ill and injured students, I know each school nurse in the Mat-Su Borough School District can also get overwhelmed with the responsibility of our jobs. Each school nurse has CSI qualities, with their own special classrooms, offering our community a caring, kind, gentle and patient teacher to care for each student who walks through their door.

Wendy DeGraffenried is a registered nurse, tai chi instructor and school nurse at Wasilla Middle School.