The show begins. The show goes on.

[THE SHOW BEGINS]

When I was in middle school, I scanned through all the camcorders in the Best Buy ads. I wanted to buy one SO badly but it was unaffordable. When I finally had enough money in college, I still wanted to buy one, but never actually knew what to film. By this time, college had drained the imagination and creativity out of me. Sad. I know. And then in May 2008, I saw Lupe Fiasco’s Superstar video for the first time. Within the next hour, I bought a $400 video camera. Creative juices circa middle school began to flow once again (random fact: I was voted Most Creative in our 8^th grade yearbook). My goal? To engage, cultivate, and inspire young students. I went to New Orleans that summer to teach 6^th grade math and science. And if I was the best teacher I could be, then my students learned to do the following:

(1) identify the number of valence electrons in an atom and draw an electron dot diagram

(2) find the mean, median, and mode of a data set to test and inquire about potential and kinetic energy

(3) convert fractions into decimals to better compare the densities of different objects

(4) use substitution skills in two variable equations and apply it to Newton’s second law of motion (F = ma)

(5) add/subtract integers to analyze force body diagrams by determining an objects net force and direction

But of course, if I were to exceed my own expectations, not only would they learn what I listed above, but they would also be proud of everything they did. They would be able to look back at that summer and confidently say, “yes, I did that”. They would realize that at the end of the program, there was a reason for learning everything we did – and it was called the Final Exam. Just kidding. That was harsh. In addition to the exam, we had our MUSIC VIDEO:

Being involved in the production process showed my students the positive educational benefits of music videos

[THE SHOW GOES ON]

This past week, I had meetings with an Early Childhood Education expert and an Elections guru, who advised me in my short-term job search and my long-term career development. Simply put, do what I love and the rest will follow. Easier said than done, as my funds are gradually depleting. They were right about this though – I need to stop living five years in the future and do what I enjoy NOW. And then I heard Lupe Fiasco’s newest single on Pandora a few days later. The lyrics to The Show Goes On reinforces their advice:

“One in the air for the people that ain’t here. Two in the air for the father that’s there.

Three in the air for the kids in the ghetto. Four for the kids who don’t wanna be there.

None for the n-ggas trying to hold them back. Five in the air for the teachers not scared,

To tell those kids that’s living in the ghetto that the n-ggas holdin back that the World is theirs!”

I shall once again refer back to my first blog post: am I mistaking coincidence for fate, and exaggerating the meaning of the moment? Is this a sign to give teaching another chance? Or at least work directly with young students at this stage in my career? This could be another opportunity to take my creativity to new heights. We shall see. I’ll keep you all updated on my Lupe-Inspired creativity in my Cudi-Inspired blog. Peace and enjoy this link: Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On