Timothy Jones and Mason Pashia on What Education Can Learn From Poetry
Apr 5, 2024
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Timothy Jones, Chief Visionary Officer at #HipHopEd and founder of Techniques4Learning, dives into the dynamic blend of education and poetry. He explores how creativity in learning can be enhanced through hip-hop and arts. The discussion covers the shift from being passive art consumers to active creators, showcasing the transformative power of writing and mentorship. Timothy also reflects on how feedback influences creative processes and the importance of confidence in communication, making a compelling case for arts in education.
Poetry serves as a powerful catalyst for creativity in education, fostering engagement and abstract thinking among learners through artistic expression.
Building confidence in articulating thoughts is essential for both students and educators, enhancing their participation in artistic and professional domains alike.
Deep dives
The Power of Poetry in Education
Poetry is explored as a significant tool for fostering creativity in education. The discussion highlights how starting conversations with poetry can stimulate abstract thinking and engagement among learners. An example provided involves the speaker reading a personal poem that prompts reflection on the role of individuals as creators rather than mere consumers of art. This nudge towards creative contribution signifies the importance of storytelling and artistic expression in enhancing the educational experience.
Navigating the Intersection of Life and the Arts
The conversation emphasizes the duality of existing within both the arts and a life dedicated to the arts, advocating for educational systems to support this duality. Timothy Jones shares his journey, recounting his transformative experience with an afterschool program that encouraged him to create his own curriculum based on hip-hop and poetry. This focus on culturally relevant pedagogy aims to engage students meaningfully and promote their creative potential. Such frameworks help learners recognize their voices and contributions to the artistic community.
Confidence in Expression as a Fundamental Skill
Confidence in articulating thoughts is framed as a crucial takeaway for both students and educators. The discussion portrays this confidence as analogous to the role of an executive producer, who is tasked with guiding a project to ensure its vision is realized. The necessity of communicating effectively in various settings signifies the broader implications of this skill beyond the classroom. By nurturing this ability, individuals can greatly enhance their participation in both artistic and professional realms.
On this special episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, producer Mason Pashia is joined by Timothy Jones. In honor of Poetry Month, Timothy and Mason discuss their deep appreciation and practice of the intersection and language.
Timothy is a long-time educator, coach, mentor and someone who lives and breathes hip-hop. Timothy is the Chief Visionary Officer at #HipHopEd, a digitally-birthed organization with a sprawling membership of brilliant educators and passionate advocates that know just how powerful this intersection can be.
He is also the founder of Techniques4Learning, a company dedicated to utilizing Hip-Hop and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy to develop and implement strategies, curricula and activities to improve teacher student engagement for schools, universities, education organizations and community-based organizations.