I Metro
ON THE COVER
Affirmations from page A13
what's said in the room stays in the room," Domstein says.
Lichtman has a wall in his classroom labeled "Phenomenal
Women" and he encourages the students to post pictures there of
their mothers and grandmothers.
Building Self Esteem
The longtime teacher laments that many of his students in the
last two or three decades have come from single-parent families.
"The mothers are out working two or three jobs just to get by','
he says, so he does a lot of esteem-building. Instead of rows, the
chairs in his classroom form a "U" and he emphasizes "positive
affirmations."
"We talk about attitude. We talk about what they are doing
to improve themselves," Lichtman says. One female student felt
comfortable enough, or desperate enough, to discuss her depres-
sion in front of the class. In response, another student suggested
a group hug. A week later, the depressed student wrote a note
telling Lichtman how much the discussion and hug meant to her.
Lichtman stresses "mastery learning" in the classroom. As
long as the students learn the material he's not too worried
about process. So he builds in many second chances. "If they do
poorly on a test, they can take another test," he says. "But they
have to see me first and go over the material."
-
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WERE PART OF THE TEAM
•R
A14
June 5 • 2008
of class sessions, he likes to play games — "I'm a kid at heart;'
Lichtman explains."' like to have fun."
He also likes to know his students. To gain their trust, he
shares stories about himself and encourages the kids to open
up to him. "After the first few weeks [of a semester], I know
more about the kids than the counselors will ever know."
When students want to settle for a grade that Lichtman
thinks is beneath them, he bristles. "If a kid pulls a 'C' on a test
and doesn't want to re-take it, I ask, Are you average? I never
thought of you as average!'"
Lifelong Partner
Throughout his career, Lichtman has been aided by his wife, Rita.
She retired three years ago after 13 years as a science teacher and
26 as a counselor in Detroit and five years at Bloomfield Hills-
based Roeper School.
"It's nice to be in the same field and bounce ideas off each
other," Lichtman says. The two also worked night school together,
teaching and then as administrators for evening adult programs
in Oak Park and West Bloomfield.
Lichtman graduated from Detroit Central High School in
1954, married Rita and graduated from Wayne State University
in Detroit in 1958. He tried a year of night school at Detroit
College of Law but, inspired by memories
of teachers like Sam Milan and Ben Chinitz,
decided to stay with education. He figures that
When students want to settle for a grade
he's had 15,000 students during his 50 years of
teaching, including the children of many of his
that Bob Lichtman thinks is beneath them,
early students. His dentist and one of his doctors
his former students.
he bristles. "If a kid pulls a 'C' on a test and are "I've
had all of the joys',' says Lichtman. "I
received a lot more than I gave."
doesn't •want to re-take it, I ask, 'Are you
He rattles off the names of Jewish teachers
he's worked with, including Chuck and Judy
average ? I never thought of you as average!'" Domstein, Jerry Gutman, Marty Garfinkel,
Chuck Stone, Howard Golding, Thelma
Rosenbaum, Sam Booker, Barb Goldsmith, Aaron
He frequently uses his cell phone in class to call parents to tell
Goff and others. The Domsteins are hosting many of the veter-
them, with the student present, what a wonderful job the student ans at a party for Lichtman later this month.
is doing in class. He also compliments the parents for doing a
Lichtman remembers Oak Park Assistant Principal Harry
good job at home. One grandmother was completely incredulous Webberman reminding him, "You're not the No. 1 teacher for
that he was calling to praise her grandson.
these kids. It's their parents:' And counselor Lou Chess telling
His telephone calls developed during his early years at Nolan,
him that Lichtman has lasted so long in education "because
near Pershing High School on Detroit's east side. After having
you're flexible'
problems with George, the biggest youngster in the class — and
Even after 50 years, Lichtman still loves his students. He's
possibly in the building — Lichtman turned him into an ally
ready to retire, he says, not because of the kids but because
by calling his parents to compliment him. After that, whenever
of the politics of education. "I'm troubled by what goes on in
he was confronted by a student in class, Lichtman always asked
schools," he says. "The kids today are being cheated. There
his friend George for his opinion of the situation. The "situation"
are not enough books and resources and not enough parental
instantly defused.
involvement."
To keep the classes interesting and himself fresh, Lichtman
Even in retirement, he's hoping to address some of these
never uses a lesson plan twice. He brings in guest speakers who,
issues. The Domsteins, Phyllis Novetsky and the Lichtmans are
over the years, have included Malcom X's older brother, Oak
creating a foundation, the Friends of the Elementary Schools
Park judges, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, members
of Oak Park, to raise money for trips, tutoring, mentoring and
of the American Civil Liberties Union and Anti-Defamation
books. They borrowed the idea from Pasteur Elementary in
League, and U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich. Class trips visited
Detroit, where Rita once taught.
his own living room, when he was living nearby in Southfield,
Lichtman also has promised his Oak Park High School col-
and walk across the street from the high school to Oak Park
leagues to return once a week for lunch and mentoring students.
City Hall to learn government firsthand.
On the personal side, he and Rita will volunteer as clowns at
He's had students job-shadow his son Mark in the computer
Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. They also plan to take
business, his psychologist daughter Lori and son Steven, in
cooking and dance classes, join an adult learning institute and
sales.
travel more, induding a retirement/golden anniversary visit to
He has a reward system in class, baking brownies for the
Southeast Asia next winter.
students, buying pizza or offering up a dollar for a great ques-
"They're still like boyfriend and girlfriend;' Domstein says
tion or a great answer. Students who are chronically tardy can
about the Lichtmans. "And on top of that, they're the nicest
earn exaggerated points for being on time for a week. At the end people in the world." ❑