Elena is the protagonist in Cofer's short story "American History." Her Physical Education teacher is Mr. DePalma at Public School Number 13 in Paterson, New Jersey in 1963. The majority of the students are African American and they enjoy playing double-dutch jump rope or basketball. The majority of the female students would rather jump rope, so that includes Elena. Since double-dutch jump rope requires the use of two ropes being twirled in opposite directions while one or more jumpers maneuver in between them, it requires a lot of energy and strength.
The setting takes place in November, so it is very cold outside. Mr. DePalma doesn't seem to care about the students being out in the cold, though, because he makes them "keep moving" by requiring them to play outside while he stays warm in the school building. He says that he will "keep an eye" on the students in order to motivate them to exercise continually, but Elena doesn't seem to see him from her place outside.
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