i returned to houston yesterday after a fast weekend in d.c. i enjoyed every moment with the infamous caitlin hodges, and her lovely roommates made time to grab drinks with me friday after work. (claudia and margaret also made an appearance, but that's a story for another day.)
despite how much fun i had with the locals, i was there for the 20th anniversary celebration/rally/renewing of Teach for America. Heard of it? Well, I certainly have. TFA has rocked my world over the past 18 months, bringing me literally to my knees some days, and on others, putting a very meaningful shine in my ear-to-ear smile. (no pun intended.)
I'll be back to share my ramblings and personal reflections, but more importantly share with those who couldn't be there the thoughts of the famous panelists i was able to hear - gloria steinem. the honorable john lewis, civil rights activist. secretary of education arne duncan.
i have to be ready for the classroom tomorrow so i'll leave you with only one announcement, one antedote. john legend performed at summit on Saturday night, and it meant a lot to a lot of people. (roughly 11,000 who were in the room listening.)
Who is John Legend? He's a grammy winning singer songwriter, wrote some music for the movie "Waiting for Superman" the education documentary. Then in September he joined the TFA national board. sweet. Then, the night before the Grammy Awards, where he was presenting an award and rocking the red carpet, he flew to DC to applaud TFA's efforts, but also to just celebrate edcuators and school leaders today. He played piano and belted his amazing voice alongside the amazing, truly amazing KIPP DC orchestra, for not one, not two, but THREE songs.
I'm sure we didn't pay him. I know he didn't receive much press for this nor will it be a big deal for his career. But, on rehearsal night of the grammys, he was on the opposite coast of the USA because he believes in our cause. He believes that "One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education." It won't be solely teach for america that gets us to that one day. But it will be a larger, broader movement, supported and partially fueled by the fire of TFA corps members, staff, donors, supporters, they will help get the entire country to that point.
And it will take talented, beautiful celebrities like john legend, to stop focusing solely on awards, paychecks, and fame. his music lyrics are moving and creative and thought provoking. it will take all of us, our entire country, to make this work.
do i think that john legend writing songs and singing them will make me a better teacher? no. but did i have goosebumps as he rocked out, knowing that he agrees this ed reform, these children, are worth fighting for? yes. did i feel inspired that he is using his talents to continue the conversation about what is happening in today's classrooms? yes. did i enjoy listening to his AWEsome voice belt out lines about "they can't read, if we don't teach em. they can't eat, if we don't feed em?" you bet.
i have a way of rambling off topic and losing my readers, listeners, even myself. if you're still here, i'll close with this: shine on, john legend. shine on.
PLEASE listen. you'll love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DML6G9Ga7OA
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