Denise Fawcett Facey

Remember when poetry meant memorizing lines by Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost, and then reciting or writing them for an exam? Well, times have changed. Chicago high school teacher Peter Kahn—who teaches not English but Spoken Word—has developed a Spoken Word Club whose impact is such that graduates return, to extend a helping hand to others, as members of his Motivational Mentorship panel.

The premise is quite simple: students are taught to express emotions, experiences etc., via poetry or spoken word, which they then perform before huge, paying audiences. The validation received from the audience coupled with the catharsis of releasing the pent up feelings proves liberating for the participants. As a result, students begin to view themselves differently, therefore perceiving their future in a new and brighter light. Later, these same students return to the high school using spoken word to reach freshman and sophomores, thereby giving back and, simultaneously, “paying it forward.”

Mr. Kahn has hit on the essence of effectively working with young people: respect them and their experiences. Through his Spoken Word Club, he provides a venue for his students to share their lives, vent their frustrations and begin moving toward newly created vistas for their lives—all this from what amounts to modern day poetry! Words are powerful and, clearly, empowering students to use them is transformative—so much so that students want to reach back and help those who come behind them. How simple, and yet, how profound.

That’s my opinion. What do you think?

You already knew that the average kid is far more advanced in modern technology than most adults, didn’t you? But, did you know that even without any prompting from a teacher, three- and four-year-olds can navigate an iPod and learn a multitude of skills quite easily? The mental picture alone makes me smile and that it’s a true story makes it even better. (more…)

Here’s a problem that no one anticipated: increasing numbers of homeless teens attending high schools. Counselors are discovering more and more 18-year-olds in their schools with nowhere to go, while advocates for the homeless report that the number of homeless teens in this age range far exceeds the services available to assist them. And while the persistently down economy doesn’t help, it’s not the only reason for this dilemma. (more…)

In keeping with last week’s blog on the need to incorporate African Americans into the curriculum, I’m impressed by a new course that will be offered this fall to all high school seniors in Pittsburgh Public Schools. Developed by a team of educators, the course will introduce students to books by and about African Americans. Encompassing the familiar (i.e. slavery) in innovative ways, this literature course also reveals diverse aspects of the African American experience not commonly presented to students. (more…)

If it’s February, it must be Black History Month. From schools and bookstores across the country to special television programs and even spots on the evening news, African Americans’ and their contributions to the U.S. are spotlighted this month. And in theory, this is great. However, it’s time to revisit this practice. (more…)

Remember how much you looked forward to recess when you were in elementary school? You couldn’t eat lunch fast enough to get outside and play. Now, some schools have decided to allow children to have recess first, and then have lunch. The result, for the most part, has been (more…)

Everything old really is new again. In this case, the old and new topic is the Chinese language. Although Spanish remains the dominant language taught in U.S. foreign language classes, Chinese is rapidly growing in popularity. And, like the propensity toward taking Japanese language classes in the 1980’s, a major impetus for the Chinese classes today is China’s emergence as a key player in the international business world. (more…)

High school students have some compelling academic choices nowadays. For example, which should they take: Advanced Placement courses that require rigorous work to achieve college credit or less arduous college courses offered at the high school for credit at both high school and college (i.e. dual-enrollment)? Yet, as the pendulum swings toward dual-enrollment replacing Advanced Placement courses, it’s a dilemma that increasing numbers of students won’t even have to solve. And this is where the battle is joined. (more…)

When it comes to broadening students' perspectives, deepening their understanding of divergent concepts and providing opportunities to meet and know people of diverse backgrounds, college offers wonderful opportunities. Yet, that being said, college is not for everyone. And therein lies the problem; many high schools don’t prepare students for anything else. (more…)

Think back to your high school graduation. Of all the good memories associated with that special occasion, do you include the students who were your class valedictorian and salutatorian? What were their names? You may not be able to remember their names, but some future graduates won’t have valedictorians or salutatorians to remember. (more…)