This week, all 10th graders are working on an assignment inspired by Humans of New York (HONY), the interview project created by photographer Brandon Stanton. The idea is simple, pick someone from the community and listen to their story. Ms. Bushman, the teacher behind the assignment, has been a fan of Stanton’s work for a while. “I love the way he humanizes the people he meets,” she said, pointing out that Tokyo, like New York, is full of fascinating people just waiting to be heard.
The assignment also connects to the book the class is reading right now, The Catcher in the Rye. Ms. Bushman noticed that Holden Caulfield spends the whole novel feeling like nobody understands him, while HONY is essentially the opposite, using stories to help strangers feel understood by others. “There’s a beautiful dichotomy there that I like to explore,” she said.
Students aren’t limited to interviewing their classmates; teachers, parents, and Seisen students are all potential subjects. Ms. Bushman hopes students come away with more than just a grade in Power School. “Everyone on or around our campus brings something unique and interesting,” she said. Whether it’s an unexpected perspective or a surprising life story, the goal is for students to actually listen and leave with a deeper appreciation for the people around them every day.
