Teach & Serve V, No. 2
Playlist 2019-2020
August 14, 2019
Hopefully we are rested. Hopefully we are ready. Hopefully, we are excited.
Let us embrace the moment because this moment – the start of the school year, has power.
Putting together a “mixtape” to celebrate the start of a new academic year is tradition. Years ago, my good friend and educational leader Sean Gaillard (author of The Pepper Effect – great reading for any and all Beatles fans and educators!) introduced me to the idea of #OneSong which developed into the idea of a mixtape which morphed into the concept of a playlist. For the last few years, I have put together a playlist to lead me with energy, optimism and enthusiasm into the upcoming school year.
This year, the tradition continues. My specific criterion for selection: songs that make the playlist give me all the feels and/or the lyrics of the song resonate with me. Overall, the selections move me, inspire me and send me. They send me into a new year on the most positive of notes… pun intended.
I return to the playlist all year long, adding, deleting, updating. If you were to review last year’s list, you would see some of the songs remain from the ‘18-’19 edition.
Most have changed. All motivate.
Here is this year’s playlist:
This is a holdover I can’t seem to drop! I do not know how well anything in this song fits the school year except the idea of being faced with classroom after classroom of students with names I have to learn – and they all seem to have the same one! And this song rocks!
There is no deep message to this one, I just love it. It’s a terrific summer song and the energy that it gives me is something I want to carry with me into the fall.
I love the concept of dreams coming true and, at the heart of education, we ought to find dreams and, as educators, we ought to work to help our students realize them!
The Boss has a new album and it is sublime. Of the many songs I love, Hello Sunshine says the most to me personally. I often remind myself that I ought to be the most positive person in our building and it’s not always easy. This song reminds me of the struggle and of the importance.
I want my love to open the door all year long… and for the entirety of my life. I don’t think this one will ever all off the list.
Seeing Hamilton was not life changing – but it was close. This powerful anthem speaks powerfully to the idea that we must seize the moments that can change our lives. This is a good mantra for us and for our students. Rise up, indeed.
Another Hamilton song that features the important message that each moment, each step, each time could be our last. Sometimes we have to let go, say goodbye and know that we are doing things one last time. Such a critical message. None of us is bigger than the work. None.
This song has made the list for 3 out of the last 4 years for a reason: I think our students do not even know they want us to help them find that for which they are looking…
Is there a more rousing movie theme – ever – than the theme from Superman: The Movie? I don’t believe so. This anthem never fails to inspire me. It is a holdover from ‘18-’19.
What are you listening to this fall?