Like many other 15-year-olds, Jonathan Pierce is studying U.S. history.
However, Jonathan does not spend much time in a classroom, or even at a school. As a patient at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, he is one of dozens who receive an education from their hospital beds.
Since 1996, a handful of teachers have turned CHOP into their classroom, teaching patients from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The teachers work with the students' former schools to devise coursework specific to each patient's level. Teenagers at the hospital can even take driver's education if they wish.
Currently, there are five teachers involved in the program.
Kelly Purcell, one of the teachers, said she and her co-workers "consider it a privilege and honor" to be a part of the lives of children with chronic illnesses.
Though Gemma Bowers, another teacher at CHOP, said that teaching the children is rewarding, she also said her job can also be painful.
"It's difficult to see when they're hurting and in pain and knowing there's nothing you can do to make it better," Bowers said, adding that the biggest reward is when recovered children end up attending college.
"We help kids stay connected to their home, school -- hope that they will get back to their classmates," she said.
Bowers, in her eighth year at the hospital, is Jonathan's only history, math, science, home economics and poetry teacher.
Jonathan -- originally from Punxsutawney, Pa. -- is at the hospital to receive a bone marrow transplant from his 18-year old-sister Jaimie.
He was diagnosed with porphyria -- a disease that affects the body's production of a substance important in oxygen delivery -- at the age of 3.
As his production of bone marrow cells declined, Jonathan became allergic to ultraviolet rays and obtained a suit when he was 9 years old from NASA to protect his skin. While he was attending elementary and middle school, Jonathan had to stay inside during recess and gym.
"I felt left out," Jonathan said.
He added that he misses being with his friends the most. To make up for the lack of social interaction, the CHOP teachers sometimes put the children together while they are doing homework.
"We group kids together whenever we can," Bowers said. "Teachers can give academic support, [but] we can't replace the social interaction."
Jonathan said that "it's sort of like being in a regular classroom with other kids."
The classes "are interesting; they're not like regular classes -- you get one-on-one time and you learn more," he added.
The number of classes taught depends on the child's condition that day. Sometimes, if Jonathan is not feeling well, Bowers plays cards with him.
Jonathan's father John, a maintenance worker, said that his son's educational experience has been excellent.
"Jonathan's pretty much in line" with his grade level, the elder Pierce said. "If it wasn't for the school program here, I have no doubt he'd be behind."
He added that it is up to Jonathan if he would like to attend college but that his son's health remains the family's priority.
"It's been a long road, but everything's looking up," he said. "Hopefully he'll be able to live like a normal person."
Jonathan said that having "school" at the hospital has been a positive experience.
"I like that whenever you go back to school you won't be falling behind," he said. My goal "is to get better and get out of here."
