Who Are Our Teachers Teaching?

Welcome to the Beatwell blog! This is where I will be sharing my drumming and wellness experiences and insights. I will also be sharing the stories of others who contribute to their communities in similar ways.

This first post will direct you to What Weekly, an online magazine documenting the Baltimore Renaissance. They have been publishing my work for a year now. My first post was written during my Mental Health Therapist internship at a Baltimore City elementary school.

I invite you to comment below and share my stories with your social networks. Cheers! -Jordan

Photo by Brooke Hall

Who Are Our Teachers Teaching?
First Published November 11, 2011

As a music educator entering a mental health internship in a Baltimore City School, I was most excited to experience the school’s music class.

What did I expect? An underfunded curriculum with minimal and aging instruments, but a dedicated teacher using creativity to make up for lack of resources.

What did I find? A music educator’s dream classroom stacked with all types of percussion (who’s seen congas in a public school?!?), brass and woodwinds, piano, etc., and digital tools to project Powerpoint notes for the class to follow. What was missing was an educator who could effectively connect with his students.

Now understand, I have an unending respect for anyone who dedicates their work week to helping children in Baltimore City reach their potential, especially for little pay and respect in return. However, even the best of intentions doesn’t translate into effectiveness.

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