From their classroom windows, the students of St. John’s Residence for Boys in Queens can see the rich recreational landscape of the Rockaways — the ocean, the boardwalk, volleyball and basketball courts, roller rinks — a landscape they aren’t permitted to experience. When the boys spotted a pickleball court from the window and asked what it was, veteran physical education and Spanish teacher Jenine DeMarzo (pictured below) decided to set up a makeshift pickleball net in her classroom to introduce them to the game.
DeMarzo strives to provide her students, who are in the care of the juvenile justice system, with culturally relevant physical education. Her pedagogy includes exposing the boys to sports and recreation they may never have seen or heard of but could access in the future. Learning pickleball, said DeMarzo, has allowed them to not only exercise and enjoy themselves but to practice social skills that will help them integrate when they’re no longer at St. John’s. “They learn to manage frustration,” she said, noting that no one was very good at the game at first. “They learn cooperation. When we have new students join the class, the old students teach them the rules.” DeMarzo takes the long view of educating her students, whom she acknowledges have unique needs. “I know they’re going to be somebody’s neighbor someday. So if we can work on those social skills to make them better neighbors, maybe they can find a place for themselves.”