Awesome pearl jam connection

lcusicklcusick Posts: 310
edited April 2013 in The Porch
I teach at an alternative school for children with serious behavior problems and emotional disturbances. Today a new student started in my classroom because he was expelled from his school. The students are wanded and searched and we take their cell phones and iPods and put them a box. I give them their iPods in class, if they are behaving to use during independent work time. So while this young man was typing his writing journal I hear him singing do do do do do do do do to the melody of Black. I tap him on his shoulder and he takes his headphones off and I say-Black. He goes yay. I am like do you like Pearl Jam? He says they are awesome. I say, they Are one of my favorite bands. Then forget the writing journal we obsessively talked about PJ for 15 minutes. He is 16 and has seen them in concert once. What a great way to get to know a new student! I love it when I am with young people and they like good music. :D
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Pjzepp67Pjzepp67 Posts: 445
    I always enjoy hearing of the new generation, especially at 16, finding and experiencing Pearl Jam.
    I hope the connection means as much to him as it does to yourself and it assists and helps drive on his education with your close help. It is a rare and special gift you have my friend...good luck.
  • the wolfthe wolf Posts: 7,027
    Very cool! Good Luck!
    Peace, Love.


    "To question your government is not unpatriotic --
    to not question your government is unpatriotic."
    -- Sen. Chuck Hagel
  • SuziemaySuziemay Posts: 11,164
    Awesome! Also really amazing that you do what you do :)
  • Nevermind90Nevermind90 Posts: 722
    wow, love it, thanks for sharing! & good luck fellow!
    ~ Enjoy The Struggle
  • javis el errantejavis el errante Buenos Aires Posts: 6,136
    nice story, thanks for sharing...
    ... I am not in the business of being liked anymore ...

  • Comatose PilateComatose Pilate Maine Posts: 353
    Awesome story!!!!! I worked in the same type of classroom for the last 7 years. Days like that certainly make the job easier. Through out the years my constant PJ rants turned several kids who had never even heard of Pearl Jam ( but loved good music) into not only fans but a few of them into ten club members. About a two weeks ago I saw one of those students who I hadn't seen in 4 years and the first thing he asked me was when the new album was coming out. I of course said not soon enough and we both chuckled for a bit. Then he actually thanked me for introducing PJ into his life and said it literally changed his life, we talked a bit more and just before we went our seperate ways he gave me a fist bump and told me to keep on rocking in the free world, those being the same words I told him almost every day four years before. As I got in my car and drove off I began to get chocked up, it was such a rewarding feeling I shall never forget.
    1996: Augusta
    1998: Montreal, Mansfield I&II
    2000: Mansfield I&II, Montreal
    2003: Las Vegas, Toronto, Montreal, Mansfield I&III
    2005: Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec
    2006: Albany, Hartford, Boston I&II
    2007: Lollapalooza
    2008: Bonnaroo, Camden I&II, Hartford, Mansfield I&II
    2009: Philadelphia III&IV
    2010: Hartford, Boston, New York City II
    2011: Alpine Valley I&II
    2013: Buffalo, Worcester I&II, Hartford, Los Angeles I&II
    2014: Tulsa, Lincoln
    2016: New York City I&II, Quebec City, Boston I&II, Chicago I&II
    2017: New York 
    2018: Seattle I&II, Boston I&II
  • morellomorello Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 6,209
    Very cool stories & great work you guys do. :)
    <hr>
    PJ - Auckland 2009; Alpine Valley1&2 2011; Man1, Am'dam1&2, Berlin1&2, Stockholm, Oslo & Copenhagen 2012; LA, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle 2013; Auckland 2014
    EV - Canberra, Newcastle & Sydney 1&2 2011
  • lcusicklcusick Posts: 310
    Awesome story!!!!! I worked in the same type of classroom for the last 7 years. Days like that certainly make the job easier. Through out the years my constant PJ rants turned several kids who had never even heard of Pearl Jam ( but loved good music) into not only fans but a few of them into ten club members. About a two weeks ago I saw one of those students who I hadn't seen in 4 years and the first thing he asked me was when the new album was coming out. I of course said not soon enough and we both chuckled for a bit. Then he actually thanked me for introducing PJ into his life and said it literally changed his life, we talked a bit more and just before we went our seperate ways he gave me a fist bump and told me to keep on rocking in the free world, those being the same words I told him almost every day four years before. As I got in my car and drove off I began to get chocked up, it was such a rewarding feeling I shall never forget.
    I know exactly what you mean. I love that you have shared Pearl Jam. I often use - "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead" as a writing prompt and get awesome journal entries. The last half hour of the day we do various social skills activities. Sometimes we just play cards and play music. We all get to take a turn being DJ. The kids a few years back got me interested in the group, The Fray. One day I was playing DJ. (Pearl Jam, FooFighters, Soundgarden, RHCP etc.) Otherside came on by RHCP and they all knew that song. So we were all singing it and rockin out pretty hard and the principal came in, but we didn't know it and she watched us all sing it. When we were done, she was like- good job guys. We were laughing so hard. Good moment!! Makes it a lot easier when you are trying to get them to do algebra and chemistry or they are having a complete meltdown over a problem. Glad to hear that you have experienced the same thing. It makes it all worth it, when you have those crazy insane out of control days and think- what am I doing with my life?? Actually, I love it and wouldn't do anything else.
  • geckogecko Posts: 1,712
    Great stories, thanks for telling them.
  • fsunoles30fsunoles30 Posts: 143
    That's an awesome story. I'm from the same boat. I began my career in education in an alternative setting as a para-pro(extremely unstable environment-scars to prove it) I have since became a special education inclusion teacher working on a masters degree while serving kids with learning disabilities and behavior problems as well(Economics and History) Its amazing to me at the number of students in 9-12 grade who haven't been exposed to Pearl Jam. It is my civic duty to do just that, so I spread the JAM each day for one of the classes I serve. I play Pearl Jam radio on my mac for a group of 8 students in a credit recovery class in a computer lab. They love that my macbook is littered with Pearl jam stickers as well! I even rock a couple of PJ pins on my jacket each day!!! I use the Ed quote from Atlanta 2003 on my profile on school website that states "An education is the best ammunition to face the world with"-Ed Vedder. Pearl Jam has certainly been one of the most influential forces in my life yet it is so hard to put a finger on exactly how it inspires and drives me to be so positive-well, most of the time.... Am I the only one who finds it magical what this band and its music does for the soul?
    BHAM 98
    BHAM 03
    ATLANTA 03
    LOLLA 07
    ROO 08
    EV SOLO Memphis
    EV SOLO ATL 1
    Music Midtown Speptember 22, 2012
    EV SOLO Memphis Nov. 21
    WRIGLEY FIELD JULY 19...and 20!!! 2013

    I will light a match this morning so I won't be alone
  • Comatose PilateComatose Pilate Maine Posts: 353
    I appreciate the complements and enjoy even more reading about the similarities. I also have had many study halls where we take turns playing DJ( I always play Pearl Jam with the exception of once in a great while Led Zeppelin) and once wore a different Pearl Jam t-shirt or sweatshirt for Ten(get it haha) weeks in a row. I mainly did this to prove a few points to the kids( don't be afraid of what others think, and it's okay to be extremely passionate about something and a few other points). Of course many of the faculty started to make wise ass comments and I would fire back that first of all we technically don't have dress code and asked them if wearing crocks with a tie or dress(or whatever the lastest trend was) would make me a better person. Back to the topic though, I think I'd be a much different person without PJ playing such a major role in my life, I'm not sure I would have stayed in this profession as long as I have. People have often asked me why I work with these kids and I simply say to inspire the uninspired. Funny thing is that's exactly what Pearl Jam did for me many years ago. I wasn't a behavioral kid, I was a jock who thought I owned the world and realized as Ed puts it " the world thought me" Many of these kids have nothing and come from an environment that constantly tells them they're nothing and never will amount to anything. When all some of them need is just a little positive spark. I always think to myself music changed my life why not try to help change some lives and if they don't hear my words maybe words from the greatest band in the world will help them along, it certainly won't hurt! Anyways I could go on and on about the topic, maybe another time haha. Thanks to the original poster for such a great thread and to all you others in this line of work or anyone making a difference is someones life with or without the assurance of Pearl Jam , job well done!
    1996: Augusta
    1998: Montreal, Mansfield I&II
    2000: Mansfield I&II, Montreal
    2003: Las Vegas, Toronto, Montreal, Mansfield I&III
    2005: Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec
    2006: Albany, Hartford, Boston I&II
    2007: Lollapalooza
    2008: Bonnaroo, Camden I&II, Hartford, Mansfield I&II
    2009: Philadelphia III&IV
    2010: Hartford, Boston, New York City II
    2011: Alpine Valley I&II
    2013: Buffalo, Worcester I&II, Hartford, Los Angeles I&II
    2014: Tulsa, Lincoln
    2016: New York City I&II, Quebec City, Boston I&II, Chicago I&II
    2017: New York 
    2018: Seattle I&II, Boston I&II
  • STAYSEASTAYSEA Posts: 3,814
    lcusick wrote:
    I teach at an alternative school for children with serious behavior problems and emotional disturbances. Today a new student started in my classroom because he was expelled from his school. The students are wanded and searched and we take their cell phones and iPods and put them a box. I give them their iPods in class, if they are behaving to use during independent work time. So while this young man was typing his writing journal I hear him singing do do do do do do do do to the melody of Black. I tap him on his shoulder and he takes his headphones off and I say-Black. He goes yay. I am like do you like Pearl Jam? He says they are awesome. I say, they Are one of my favorite bands. Then forget the writing journal we obsessively talked about PJ for 15 minutes. He is 16 and has seen them in concert once. What a great way to get to know a new student! I love it when I am with young people and they like good music. :D

    Did you ever read this thread?
    viewtopic.php?f=6&t=29043&hilit=open+letter
    image
  • A striking similarity is that I've found so so many people who through this band and this forum that do amazing things. We are a group to be reckoned with. I speak from the other side of your spectrum - I am a parent of a 22 year old son with Aspergers and emotional problems and I deeply appreciate all the work that you do with these kids. Can't imagine where they would be (or their parents for that matter) if you did not do what you do. With thanks and admiration.
    The wisdom that the old can't give away

    How I choose to feel is how I am
  • magga1976magga1976 Albury NSW Australia Posts: 522
    This thread should be at the top of the porch, not that ridiculous dog collar thread....
    Great story, thanks for sharing OP
    2009 ~ Melbourne
    2011 ~ Canberra (EV)
    2011 ~ Melbourne 2 (EV)
    2014 ~ Melbourne BDO
    2014 ~ Melbourne 1 (EV)

    "Pearl jam are not just a band, they are a choice, and if you make that choice, you become one of the few lucky people on this planet to have your life enriched by the greatest gift that music ever gave" -- substitute
    <a href="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs28/f/2008/157/3/7/Do_the_Evolution_by_ragnarok2k3.gif"</a&gt;
    <img src="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs28/f/2008/157/3/7/Do_the_Evolution_by_ragnarok2k3.gif"&gt;
  • lcusicklcusick Posts: 310
    A striking similarity is that I've found so so many people who through this band and this forum that do amazing things. We are a group to be reckoned with. I speak from the other side of your spectrum - I am a parent of a 22 year old son with Aspergers and emotional problems and I deeply appreciate all the work that you do with these kids. Can't imagine where they would be (or their parents for that matter) if you did not do what you do. With thanks and admiration.

    My Aspergers kids are always the ones that I stay connected with years after I have taught them. They still call and text me all the time. It is a very rewarding career, but unfortunately not all of them have become successful, that part makes me sad. I am so glad to see so many other teachers that do the same thing I do and use PEARL JAM in the classroom!!! I use other music too. I grew up with Neil Young, so I use his lyrics for writing prompts. We listen to music in general to learn to get along with each other because there are so many different tastes in music. My students keep me young and have exposed me to many different genres of music that I wouldn't have listened to on my own.
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 28,250
    I hope those kids get to know how awsome their teacher is great work you do :)
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • RedMosquito02RedMosquito02 Posts: 2,560
    magga1976 wrote:
    This thread should be at the top of the porch, not that ridiculous dog collar thread.
    33...
  • BentleyspopBentleyspop Craft Beer Brewery, Colorado Posts: 10,518
    magga1976 wrote:
    This thread should be at the top of the porch, not that ridiculous dog collar thread.

    well then here's a bump to the top
  • STAYSEASTAYSEA Posts: 3,814
    It is autism awareness month.
    image
  • Nevermind90Nevermind90 Posts: 722
    STAYSEA wrote:
    It is autism awareness month.

    did ya wear blue?
    ~ Enjoy The Struggle
  • samjamsamjam New York Posts: 9,283
    Thank you for sharing, awesome story! And thank you for doing what you do!
    "Sometimes you find yourself having to put all your faith in no faith."
    ~not a dude~
    2010: MSGx2
    2012: Made In America
    2013: Pittsburgh, Brooklynx2, Hartford, Baltimore
    2014: Leeds, Milton Keynes, Detroit
    2015: Global Citizen Festival
    2016: Phillyx2, MSGx2, Fenwayx2
    2018: Barcelona, Wrigleyx2
  • i just turned 19 but am going to college to be a teacher so i hope i can connect with my students & pearl jam and other nice things like you did. i never felt like my teachers cared about me in school so i've always wanted to be the one who actually gives a shit.
    11/6/12 EV solo (got to meet him!!)
    7/19/13 Wrigley
    11/19/13 Phx
  • RedMosquito02RedMosquito02 Posts: 2,560
    i just turned 19 but am going to college to be a teacher so i hope i can connect with my students & pearl jam and other nice things like you did. i never felt like my teachers cared about me in school so i've always wanted to be the one who actually gives a shit.
    This is awesome man, glad you've found your calling. :D
    33...
  • i just turned 19 but am going to college to be a teacher so i hope i can connect with my students & pearl jam and other nice things like you did. i never felt like my teachers cared about me in school so i've always wanted to be the one who actually gives a shit.
    This is awesome man, glad you've found your calling. :D
    Thank you! 2-3.gif
    11/6/12 EV solo (got to meet him!!)
    7/19/13 Wrigley
    11/19/13 Phx
  • SmellymanSmellyman Asia Posts: 4,516
    I was in a fairly trendy bar in Hong Kong and when I walked in PJ was playing. You never hear PJ here, nobody knows pearl jam and the closest they have been was Manila in 95.

    to my surprise they played the entire Rearview Mirror album, disc 1... :)

    I was happy, everyone else was confused.
  • lcusicklcusick Posts: 310
    i just turned 19 but am going to college to be a teacher so i hope i can connect with my students & pearl jam and other nice things like you did. i never felt like my teachers cared about me in school so i've always wanted to be the one who actually gives a shit.

    We need more young people who give a shit, so best of luck to you. Kids keep you young. There are tough days, however. Sometimes when I get home I cannot even talk to anyone (thank God my kids are all grown now) and the only thing that gets me through is watching the song Daughter/It's OK on Touring Band 2000!! I really hope they play that at Wrigley! :D
Sign In or Register to comment.