Teatro V!da artists launch
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Teatro V!da artists launch
Poets Change the World An Arts for Social Justice Residency John J. Duggan Academy: Magnet School for Social Justice On January 30th we had the chance to meet 180 seventh graders at an assembly just for them. We introduced them to the program and here we are! Residency Includes: Performance Training Writing and Editing Workshops Social Media Leadership Training Community Building Relaxation Techniques for Student Success Finding Voice Public Speaking Family Engagement Live Performances Publication |
Poets Change the World:
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2022 Update: Congratulations to Eilish Thompson on her graduation from Harvard, being accepted at John Hopkins University, and now pursing her Law Degree!
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Below on the right is a clip of our very first Poets Change the World Family Night on February 27th! Great turnout! Special thanks to Parents Coordinator, Mrs. Eleanor Barker and to the students who encouraged their families to attend AND they designed the order of the evening and activities!. Don't miss the final moment...
We're excited to know that 7th grade teacher Ms. Feyla McNamara is also a serious poet!
While we were in the school's main office we heard Assistant Principal, Ms. April Huckaby rip out some memorized rhymes from the stars! Wow! Among her favorites, Sylvia Plath and Emily Dickinson.
Ms. Laura Luker, Librarian, will be taking the charge on the Social Media component of our residency. Look out--Texas and Da Bronx are in the house!
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As the students learn to find diverse meanings of Social Justice, and how education can influence our thinking and actions regarding the many issues that confront us and society at large,7th Grader, Lillian Lam, gave us her words of wisdom:
Jeremy and Francheska meet Officer Charles Youmans
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Senior Clerk, Ms. Romy Terry.
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Mary Kay Brown, Magnet Administrator at Duggan has worked feverishly with us to finalize the countless paperwork and details that go into launching an original residency. Thank you, Ms. Brown! The residency was specifically designed for Duggan by Teatro V!da's Co-founder and Artistic Director, Magdalena Gómez, who is acclaimed nationally as a Master Teaching Artist, both independently and with the SmART Schools Network, where she was the founding MTA.
The etymology of the word "encouragement" is from the French, meaning "to give another heart." Here are two beautiful examples of that by poet, Sandra María Esteves:
A message for PCTW from one of the poets on our “favorites” list Sandra María Esteves, the Godmother of the Nuyorican Literary Movement: My message for your students: (from an e-mail to Magdalena Gómez dated April 9, 2015)
"Believe in the dream you have for yourself. Even when the world would make you out to be someone other than who you are, who you know yourself to be. Everyone comes into the world with a purpose. Everyone is special. Believe. Be patient. Practice the highest good you wherever your dream takes you. Hang on and never give up. Never lose faith in yourself no matter how many challenges come your way. Challenge is a good learning tool. Overcoming challenges, no matter how long it takes or how difficult, will help you grow and become strong. I wish you many blessings on your journey through life as you learn to accept and love the sacred being you are within your soul. Give thanks as you go forward and bring as many along with you on your path in the spirit of joy and love." Poems on my website can be found at: www.sandramariaesteves.com |
Sandra María Esteves was among the major literary figures who
mentored Magdalena Gómez in her youth. Ms. Esteves was the first to publish Ms. Gómez in a major and ground-breaking anthology, Ordinary Women/Mujeres Comunes, the FIRST multicultural women's poetry anthology in the United States, with a Foreword by Adrienne Rich. Year of publication: 1978. At the event on the left, she invited former Teatro V!da youth poet, Narelle Thomas, to open her reading-a great honor and encouragement. |
We had a great surprise at Ign!te the M!c on February 25, 2015 when one of the Poets Who Change the World, Kaliyah Foster showed up with her loving and beautiful family-four generations - and sang her heart out for a very appreciative audience! The world transforms when families stand up, show up and support their children! You are all an inspiration-thank you!
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Pictured here is Blessyd and her family following the PCTW poets triumphant performance at the Civil Rights in Springfield event held at the Mason Square Library, April 27th, 2015. Another family deeply involved in their daughter's education. Bravo!
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Video on left, Lillian prepares for a civil rights event at the Mason Square Library in April. A spontaneous moment as we waited for her mom to pick her up from school. In the video to the right, Colin, reads from the work of the poet he selected to research, Otto René Castillo.
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To the left is a short clip of the PCTW poets performance at the Civil Rights in Springfield event at the Mason Square library on
April 27th, 2015, where the students performed their original poetry and presented their "Manifesto for Our Education", giving a copy of the original draft to the Mayor's Chief of Staff, Ms. Denise Jordan, who will present it to State Representative Mr. Benjamin Swan, who was unable to attend and for whom the manifesto was intended. The students entrust Representative Swan with bringing their voices to the State House as he works on behalf of education. We thank Ms. Jordan and Mr. Swan for their support! |