Who is the real public enemy?
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Artist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuTi9UZtPbw
I begin student teaching on 9/2. I am assigned to a public high school in Jersey City. Yesterday I sat through a seven hour seminar hosted by the university I attend about how to conduct ourselves while student teaching. The one subject that was harped on the most was what we looked like, how we dress. I was told to "cover up my tattoos" before walking into the classroom! My hands are tattooed as are my feet, my neck and my back. So I should break out a bhirka? Last time I checked I was living in the USA. We wonder where we've failed when it comes to education. You know, when we kick back and ask ourselves "is our children learning (sic- Bush)?"
It is obvious to me (in NJ anyway) that content has ceased to matter and what matters is appearances. I was told that teaching is historically a Republican and conservative vocation and I should conduct myself as such. How did I keep my ass in that seat? Good question. I stayed because I know those old men failed. One in ten teenagers drops out of school. Most U.S. states spend more money on prison reform then on education. And these old guys have more to say about my tattoos then that??? How about letting teachers teach? If I am not allowed to enter a classroom and think than how the heck am I going to help these children learn how to think?
Currently I am writing a thesis on using contemporary music in the classroom to promote critical thinking. Critical thinking means constructing new, valid knowledge out of known knowledge. Through the workshops I have been able to conduct over the summer I have seen students more engaged with deciphering the poetry of Tupac and Kurt Cobain then they are of Keats or Byron. And ironically Cobain's words are far more difficult then Keats! I have read erudite papers on Akon and Nickelback. I have had professors tell me that students are more willing to re-write an essay on popular music to get a higher grade then any other assignment. I have had professors tell me that the overall grades on music oriented papers are higher. I have students tell me they feel more engaged when music is used in the classroom. And I have felt their excitement to learn.
So if I can get student's attention by using Eminem and Amy Winehouse in the classroom and if my tattoos are a way of gaining respect from those students (which in my experience they are), then who is really threatened by how I look and what I say? It's not the students, it's that same old guard who failed these kids to begin with. I think my tired old rock & roll self can do a little bit better then what has been done before me. And if I didn't think that I would be doing everyone a disservice, myself and about 150 Jersey City teenagers. I think I'd rather "fight the power" and try to change something a little tiny bit. It's what I've done, it's what I do and it's why I love music so much.
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Comments (24)
Amen, sister. Critical thinking is at such a premium these days. All this obsession with ranking and memorization, a boring human this makes. I went to art school, where studio classes had critiques, which I loved. Unfortunately (perhaps becasue of the declining education system), it was so hard to get people to utter anything other than a grunt or "it's nice" opinion! I would much rather have somenoe trash a piece I did than have "it's nice" lobbed at me.
Man, I'd love to audit one of your classes. Sounds great.
NJ innercity schools are terrible. I have 4 kids in Trenton Public schools. Before I finally (after fighting tooth and nail) I got them into a beautiful charter school, the two oldest were going to the "regular" middle school in our neighborhood.
When I went to get their folder to transfer I first had to wait outside with the students who were all escorted by security guards (big men with weight belts - not educators) one by one through the metal detectors, they were asked to take off jackets, open up book bags and then once passed file into the dark, crumbling audatorium filled each fold down seat, front row first and then back. There was silence but the feeling was it was about to explode. Then after 20 minutes one by one they had to pass by the (real) police desk to their classes. As I sat in the couselor's room three kids came in bloodied, and bruised, in that short time. Another kid came in wanted to complain that he was jumped on his way home the day before. The principal showed up and in a raspy. cigarette voice said, "I'm sorry that's a police issue." The boy protested that the kids who did it were right down the hall. She barked, "I'm sorry go back to class!"
None of the adults there seemed to even care, they were all so burned out.
I can't imagine tattoos being a problem, that's ridiculous. What I saw was the adult who were in the schools were so alienated from these kids. God, if only someone could get them interested in learning and getting an education. Or they will always be stuck in places like Jersey City and Trenton.
Mother of god. That's horrible. I think instead of a draft, we might need to start making people spend time at the schools in their area, maybe then they would stop griping about where their taxes are(n't) going! How do you get people to care? I certainly would fight to keep my kids out of a school like that, which sounds like a lot of work, so how do you put that effort into fighting to make the school better?
I think one of the biggest problems with schools is they are too big. Kids become anonymous, and accountablility is thrown out the window for crowd control. Of course the answer isn't as simple as build more schools in these smaller budgeted times. God, my kids are 2 and 1. I am so dreading this.
This is a terrible story! I've seen those burned out adults. And I've seen teachers who HATE the students. Why bother? First rule, if you're going to teach you have to love kids. One other thing I just thought of was an article I read, about a school much like the one you described in which the principal, a music lover, decided to play music in the hallways between classes. The kids would bop to class to the music of Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Dr. Dre and the attitude in the hallways, once a warzone, was peaceful. It seems so obvious to me, and many of my peers, that these students should not walk into a classroom and think "I can't, I will never relate to this." We know what engages them, why aren't we using it?
Who would even want to go to school after having to sit through the check points lakposhti mentioned. I'd drop out if I had to do that everyday.
They don't drop out, they hit the streets. It's so sad the kids here have such a hard future. And the corruption is unbelievable.
My daughter won an award for an essay, "What Christmas gift would you give the city?" She wrote a that she'd give the city a library like the one in nearby Princeton (More than ample, clean computers, kid friendly seating areas, safe, video viewing rooms, and of course books. books, books. There's even a coffee shop.) as oppossed to our library right smack in the crack neighborhood with poor women (at all hours) selling themselves to passing cars (I wish I was kidding). Anyway, she wrote that all we have is guns and drugs while Princeton has lattes and cookies. It was impressive. So when we went to the award ceremony (she was to get a gift card) it was a church organized meeting. I didn't have a problem with it until the pastor started asking everyone to accept Jesus into their lives before the award would be given out. I said to my daughter, let's get out of here!
It was so sad though, I just brought her to the store myself. But it got me thinking, this is like the 3rd world, with missionaries (not that they all do this) only treating people who get saved or whatever.
But the government had really abandoned places like this.
Yet those in power will defer to the Faith Based initiatives for homeless and addicts over any sort of government interference. Which seems to blur the church and state boundaries.
It's sad, I saw similar things in the poor neighborhoods in Atlanta. Huge, stadium like mega churches, crap neighborhoods. These places were opulent, squeezing their parisioners for all their extras. It isn't even strange for the pastor to have nice suits and drive fancy cars. They'll even have TV shows, full bands, the works. I'm not one to criticize anyones path to spirituality, because it's personal, and obviously there is a popular message at these places, or they wouldn't be so big. But I would love to see these faith based initiatives give things like finance classes, or classes on how to start a small business - with no strings attached (or excuses for a revival). That kind of "teach a man to fish" stuff would go so much further than guilt and pennance.
Your stories are getting creepier and creepier. But yet I know this is the reality of the inner-city condition. The analogy you use of the missionaries/ 3rd world mentality is so right on! I feel the same way and it seems my university chair persons want teachers to dress and act in uniform with that same mentality. And so kids hit the streets... and the gov't gives up cause property taxes are not enough to support inner-city education. And people with more interesting things to do don't want to become teachers because there is so much red tape and testing (who wants to take standardized tests at 45 yrs old?). Sigh, Bill Gates is not going to save the world, although he is trying.
In the book "BoBo's in paradise" they speak of the standardization of education (through achievment testing and SAT's), and although it had some good points in allowing minorities to attend universities and the like, it also changed the focus of education.
My wife and I read about Montessori and Waldorf education, which we primarily think are sometimes better in theory (no TV in 2008? yeah right!), but the problem is that even deciding on some of these alternates begets elitism. My kid can do the Rudolph Steiner form of schooling with a bunch of other kids of parents from similar backgrounds and income levels...what's the point of that? We wall ourselves off from the unpleasantness too easily, rather than make differences in the situation at hand.
Don't even get me started on home schooling! I mean if you have to because you have no other choice, sure, but just wait til your kids are teenagers and they can't socially interact with large groups or other kids.
To paraphrase, "Amen my brother!"
Yeah, sorry to sound depressing. There is light on the horizon. Like I said my kids are going to a great school now. Their success lies in a vibrant dedicated staff (who are willing to stay until 6:30) and they demand parent participation, a lot of parents can't take that so they take thier kids out. But then at least what your left with is not a group of kids weeded out based on income, but a group of kids based on support from home.
I've been bi-coastal for a long time, but i'm real glad i grew up in NY. I was lucky enough to be exposed at a very young age to many aspects of the real world that many kids don't get exposed to, and that applies in BOTH directions. I always felt the government, the airlines and the school systems should combine somehow to show kids what it's like outside of their neighborhoods, and i was not laughing at the kids who came back from places like Europe having seen "something completely different". They didn't have attitude, they had a different form of education. I saw it all in my NY neighborhood. There were good issues and bad issues, but when people talk about "learning on the job", I was. My first year in junior high i had two pregnant classmates and one of my basketball mates died of an overdose. That was 40 years ago! Look where things are now.
It's amazing to see you guys talking about this stuff. Deb, your goals are awesome, and it's pretty wild that it's the "rock chick" in you that's driving you in this direction. CB.....you've got your buttons pushed on this one and with kids that are 1 & 2, you can actually start thinking of things to speak up about as they enter the educational system. Don't dread this stuff.....that would clump you in with the others. You've got great ideas.
I hope you all stay in touch when this blog's over. I don't have kids and I don't have definite solutions to this "bandaid on the wound" situation. I'm not recommending that you go into politics, but you guys are quite thoughtful and i hope you can continue to speak up in ways that get others involved in your desires. As a music artist and producer I know that many "mistakes" end up the best part of recordings. You just never know what might happen.
Robin- I really love the comment you make about "mistakes." I'm not sure there is anything more true in life. I think making mistakes is a HUGE part of education (and music! don't you love how in "Exile on Main St." you can hear every gorgeous mistake?). I am talking about education in the classroom and on the street. And really, I'm not convinced those two things should be so far removed (because when we separate reality from education we get into the realm of missionary-esque/ religious right, elitist/ money might and conservatism/ Nazi-esque rules and regulations- young people run from this and they should! And if they don't we see them featured in "Jesus Camp"). Robin's examples of his H.S. education involve teenage pregnancy and drug addiction. I think it's more important for young people to understand the consequences of their actions then it is for them to understand how to read "Beowulf." I mean if we are going to teach the major themes of life then let's not tippy toe around. No one wins. How best to do this is actually through the examples of popular culture, and THINKING critically about popular culture (music, movies, videos, Internet, television, advertising- the things kids are exposed to every single day- except not the hours they spend in school... hello???). It's time for our schools to catch up, or else our country ends up dumb and dummer. Check out the R&R Hall of Fame educational sites and also Paul Allen's Hendrix museum, people are trying to change archaic education and it is very cool. Anyway, you're right, you just never know what might happen. I hope I make lots of beautiful mistakes on this journey!
You have much to learn. Very Very much to learn.
Let's not foget that kids are much more perceptive than we allow ourselves to see. They can smell hypocrascy (sp! oof!) a mile away. But they are great barometers of injustice and fairness. there's a fabulous book/documentary called "Raising Cain" about boys being undeserviced by education. It's incredible what a proper diet (not in the freaky Tom Cruise scientology way), solid male role models, and (EGAD!) excercise will do for a student.
Here's an idea I had, listening to my son singing a song he picked up from one of is favorite videos. Pre-schools or kidergartens taught in song. Maybe it's kind of hokey sounding, but my son can pick up lyrics, melodies, and songs really quick. Especially if they some how relate to his interests. Any love of music should start with the idea of fun being most important lesson. I firmly believe other important brain building abilities will develop out of this. I know it's impossible to get him to listen by asking him something, but if I sing him a silly song, he's all ears. I'm sure there's probably a Waldorf thing similar to this, but I plead coincidence.
To quote the obvious: The opposite of Love isn't Hate, it's Indifference. Burned out teachers don't hate the kids, time, shrinking budgets, and clueless/distant school brass have turned them numb. It's time Hollyweird updated "The Pride of Jesse Hallam" for the "comfortably numb" generation of officials who could do better.
Hey Contrabandwidth, in Union City, N.J. a program was instituted to raise the test scores of English as second language (ESL) students. The Board of Ed bought 300 iPods, teachers loaded in POP SONGS and the students were taught English through music. The state standardized test scores went up 30 points that year (reference- 2 points is a huge improvement)! The program has been adopted by three other low scoring, high ESL communities in Jersey. So yes, you are onto something. Kids learn through song and they learn better, faster, stronger (I feel a Daft Punk moment approaching) then by drill and repeat. A great example of education working because it has allowed itself to adapt to popular culture instead of denying it.
I agree with DMDM, and can't wait to follow your journey. Having taught at both ends of the extreme, from inner city/barrio Las Vegas to an affluent suburb in Pennsylvania, you are in for quite a journey, and I hope your idealism and passion survives intact.
The music piece is an excellent idea, btw, and there are commercial curriculum out there, in addition to your own creativity. I had my kids transcribe lyrics to favorite songs and then examine the meaning (or lack of); and even though they were 14 they loved Schoolhouse Rock and remembered what a conjunction was. Not familiar with the Union City ipod experiment, but that sounds like a neat idea! Good luck!
Wow, a post right up my alley...........where to begin. I feel the people in charge of most schools end up being former teachers who have burned out in the first place. They want things to go back to the way things were in the 50's, and god forbid someone come in looking different than they are used to.
I can tell you first hand knowing what the kids listen to and watch will gain their trust right off the bat. In my 11 years of teaching the one thing I have learned is that in order to gain a kids trust simply means you take an interest in them as a person. If that means knowing all the Pokemon, watching bad videos now and then, or just staying on top of what they are into.........well it goes a long way in their books.
A kid is not going to pass judgement on a teacher based on how he or she looks. This is even more true in an inner city school. Those kids are special, and most of them want a place to go where they feel wanted. Give them that, and they will give you the best year of your life. As I said before on my post, no matter what you are told when doing your student teaching, it will only get easier.
As for the music in the classroom, once again I could not agree with you more. I use it as much as I can even if it is not an artist that my class has heard of before. Three years ago we had monosyllabic as a vocab word, and my group was having a tough time actually understanding what that meant. I brought in the song "Monosyllabic Girl" by NOFX, printed out the lyrics and made them listen to it. Needless to say they got it right away.
I take her to the aquarium, she says shark
I take her to the planetarium, she says dark
I take her to the seaside
Where she likes to spin and twirl
She says sure and cool and yeah
She's my monosyllabic girl
I take her to the university, she says huh
I take her to an anniversary, she says one
I take her to jewelry store
I say diamonds, she says pearl
Oh everyone knows I'm in love
With a monosyllabic girl
You know everyone knows I'm in love
With a monosyllabic girl
Here is another suggestion......if you would like. Every Monday we start our day off with Name that tune. I play a song, the first kid to guess the artist or song wins a piece of candy. Sounds simple, and it actually is. The catch is that the music I choose are the bands I played from the week before. This makes the kids ask who is playing, and hopefully gain a better appreciation to the many different kinds of music out there.
It sounds like you are so excited about starting your career as a teacher, dont let the suits change your line of thinking when it comes to this. I didnt and still love doing what I am doing!
Kev, thanks for saving most schools. ;-) I was not burned out, but I was restless, which had as much to do with the way the school structed special ed at the time, and which since becoming an administrator I've been able to change to improve the lot of kids. But 7 years later I still miss the classroom, esp in September. Of course, I can now use the bathroom whenever I need. is that worth the trade of working 12 months a year? Jury is still out.
And my friend if you ever want to come to pennsylvania to teach, look me up!
I know not all admin's are bad, in fact its the ones like you who the school systems need. I sometimes talk in general terms, I guess I should be more specific. I can see your point about using the bathroom, so many times I wish I had that ability, as well as being the one who was in charge. Maybe it is something I will do down the road, with as much good as I do in the classroom it makes me feel I can do even more if I work my way up the ladder..............as I am sure you feel. Love the fact that we teachers have a place here on mog!
As a parent of kids that made it through the school system relatively unscathed, it has been very interesting listening to all the teachers here on MOG. All of you sound like you are teachers or were teachers for the right reasons. When you do the extra ordinary things purposely to connect to or find a connection with your students, you cannot go wrong in this parent’s book.
Debbie, I know you have certain curriculum you probably need to follow, but hopefully there is enough latitude to work in some creative “teaching with style”. How do you get the kids attention? You make your teaching and presentation relatable to them whenever the opportunity affords itself. How do you gain their trust and respect? Show them that you care, by caring about the things in their world. Depending on the age level, engage them in the process by allowing them input as to how you approach the curriculum together in a win- win fashion, to get the most from it. Let their ideas help shape the learning.
Music and pop culture is relatable to just about every kid. Logic would suggest you use it at any opportunity. I would have welcomed any teacher integrating that kind of teaching, where my kids came home excited about what they did in school in a certain class, because it was something from their world that was cool and relatable.
One of the most exciting assignments my son was given, was to write a paper about a parent or relative around one song that they say best describes or relates to them in some way, and then presenting their paper and the song in class. So he came to me and asked me to pick a song. Wow, what a tough choice. But, I picked a song I recently posted called Add Some Music To Your Day by the Beach Boys. He knows what a music junkie I am and what a believer I am in the power and influence of music, so he was tasked with explaining who I am and why the song fits, using the context of the song. I told him I want that song played at my funeral as my parting words to all.
Anyway, I hope you all get my drift. The bottom line is use whatever you have, whenever you can, if you think it will relate to, engage and entice the kids more. They will learn more, react more and enjoy the learning process more. My son enjoyed speaking about me, and my passion for music and how it spurred his interest. And he also enjoyed hearing all the other songs and stories from the other kids and how diverse they were. Do you think he’ll ever forget that experience? I doubt it. So I say go for it, tattoos a blazing :)
Thanks so much for all these amazing ideas/ lesson plans! How cool is MOG? The exchange of ideas is mind boggling and I can see that I'll be hitting you guys up for more good material as the semester progresses.
Rawkiddoh- The NOFX lyrics are so cool. Thanks for sharing that, because I am going to steal it! Plus, like I mentioned on your page, I will be contacting you through the semester for help, support and just to vent- beware. MusicRx the assignment you shared is another one I will probably use. There is a lot of information on how people use music to establish identity. I plan to use music to help students define themselves and it's an interesting perspective to see how they can use it to define others too. So thanks.
I'll have to let you guys know how I survive the bathroom constraints. I know last year I found myself doing the "wee wee dance" by the end of many an English period! I think there may be something to be said about the trade-off dharmachris. I gotta say it's very cool to know that there are some admins who are not stuck in 1955. So keep on rocking that PA school system.
Nice one Rawkiddoh.