Growing Up John-Boy

Writing is my thing. It belongs to me. I say this not because I've been paid to write (although I have), but simply because I have the desire to write. This is evidenced by stacks of journals dating back to my early teen years. I started writing my first book on yellow legal pads when I was in junior high school. It was a murder mystery in the style of Agatha Christie called A Face in the Window. I also wrote short stories, plays, poems, song lyrics, notes, and many, many letters. Later, there was this blog, journal publications, writing for hire, and my dissertation - I am the only person I know who loved the experience of writing their dissertation. 

Of course, the world is full of folks who have a personal connection to writing. I grew up watching The Waltons on TV with my family. The eldest son on the show was an aspiring writer named John-Boy. He had a good heart and strong moral compass. He was deeply loved by his family. He was sensitive and kind and honest. He was also a bit different than the rest of his family because he had an artistic sensibility. He aspired to achieve his dreams, which would take him to places outside his family's purview. John-Boy was strong and sure-footed and a good listener. John-Boy loved his Mama.

My mom used to tell me I was just like John-Boy.

It is one of the best compliments I've ever received. It is one bestowed on me with love and a mother's pride. The feeling of knowing your Mom beams with pride and love when she sees you is a glorious one. I loved being John-Boy in her eyes. 

My mom passed in 2020 and, since then, I haven't been able to watch The Waltons. It's too painful. I also struggle with writing now because I'd grown accustomed to her feedback. I liked sharing my life with her through my writing. It's the reason I started this blog in the first place. 

There is a sadness associated with The Waltons that has to do with growing up and moving on. The show captures a time in our lives when we are surrounded by family and everyone we love is alive and vibrant. As the show went on, characters died and moved away. Life changed. 

Life changes. 

Constantly.

I'm starting to come back to writing now. It's a bit painful sometimes. Is it therapeutic? I'm not sure. Probably.  

I was working on a book project when my mom passed and the desire to continue felt forced afterwards. But, I think I am ready to return to it. I think my mom would be thrilled if I did. It's a way to honor her. I can hear her voice in my head saying once more that I'm just like John-Boy. 

My mom loves me. That's one thing that will never change. No, no, even death can't take that away from me.

DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'

 

Once upon a time, I used to listen to music as I drifted off to dreamland. The melodies were like lullabies creating beautiful imagery that helped me envision what life might be like when I was an adult. I'd wonder about the struggles, relationships, and passions that awaited me. It was all played out there by the light of my turntable. It was peaceful and comfortable and time was on my side.

There were two record albums I played the most. They were Heart Like a Wheel by Linda Ronstadt and Olivia Newton-John's Greatest Hits. 

When Side One ended, the needle lifted and my mom would come in to turn the record over so I wouldn't have to get out of bed. It was just one of many loving gestures my mom performed. They did not go unnoticed or unappreciated and shaped the man I am today.

The penultimate song on Side Two of Olivia's Greatest Hits was the song Don't Stop Believin'. I could relate to this guy she sang about who is optimistic and charming and upbeat, but who experiences some bad days. I embraced the message to keep the faith when faced with adversity and felt the support of those I loved to get me through (just as in the song).  I saw myself going through life believing that "bad days will hurry by."

The years pass. My beloved mom lives only in my heart and memory. The things she taught me bubble to the surface when needed. I find that I am now experiencing the "bad days" referred to in the lyrics of this song (at least professionally). I can hear my mom pointedly telling me that I shouldn't let things wear me down because "that's not like you." But, it's hard sometimes. Teachers are continually disrespected. It's exhausting to fight against the current of negativity day after day. And yet, somehow, my mom is a life raft keeping me afloat. That's some amazing parenting! And I won't stop believin'.

Don't Stop Believin'

You think the world should see things your way

Love, I know you

You think good fortune's here to stay

Love, I know you shined in everything you've tried before

Your smile can open any door

But on those days when nobody wants to know you

And all your smiles keep falling on stoney ground

Don't stop believin', don't stop believin'

Don't stop believin', you'll get by

Bad days, bad days will hurry by

You never chase your dreams, they find you

Love, I know you

If you need love, it finds you too

Love, although you sail alone and free

I'll follow in your wake

And pray one day my heart you'll take

But on those days when nobody wants to know you

And all your smiles keep falling on stoney ground

Don't stop believin', don't stop believin'

Don't stop believin', you'll get by

Bad days, bad days will hurry by

The Science of Reading

The Science of Reading is an educational finding, based on research, which attempts to unravel how humans become literate. Many school districts in the nation are currently embracing the findings and implementing them into elementary school classrooms. The basic premise is that educational institutions have gotten reading instruction all wrong and an update in the operating system is necessary and overdue. 

All of this is beautifully presented in a podcast entitled Sold a Story by Emily Hanford. I listened to all 6 episodes yesterday on my drive from Rochester, NY to Trenton, NJ. It is an engaging investigation into reading theory, history, and implementation. It should be required listening for educators, especially those who have not gotten this information in their training programs.

As a reading specialist, I already knew most of the information. Yet, there were some surprises (I'll get to that in a minute). I've lived through a range of the educational approaches about reading presented in this podcast. I remember phonics-based instruction as a child with worksheets asking me to circle the long vowel in a series of words. I also remember my confusion because I was never told what that meant. What made a vowel long or short? A bit of explicit instruction would have been helpful and my early experience influences my teaching today because I know what it is to be the child who benefits from explicit instruction. 

Over the years, the pendulum has swung between phonics-based instruction to wholistic methods and back again. Things shift as we learn more and, it seems to me, they shift because people simply want something different. We also cannot ignore the influence of financial greed and political gain in how schools are run. All of this is covered in Sold a Story.

The bottom line is many schools are now throwing out the work of Marie Clay, Lucy Calkins and Fountas & Pinnell to focus on phonics. In my training and work with hearing students, I've always incorporated phonics instruction and was surprised to learn -  in the podcast - that Marie Clay's Reading Recovery and Fountas & Pinnell's Leveled Literacy Intervention considered it optional.  That was never how I implemented their work. For this, I give thanks to my mentor, Dr. Joanna Uhry, who taught me the value of matching my instruction to meet the needs of the children rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach. 

This "new" direction, propelled by the science of reading, comes with questions. Questions regarding assessment and instruction that administrators and coaches, who know much less than I do, are undoubtedly going to struggle to answer. I just hope we do better for our struggling readers and can one day celebrate an America with higher literacy rates because to paraphrase Whoopi in Ghost, we in danger girl.

David Staller's Visit Transcends Words

David Staller with Kindergarten and Second Grade Students

Wordless Picture Books have long resided in the "Never Have I Ever" category of read-alouds for my Broadway Books First Class program. They are books for young readers that depart from a traditionally written narrative. There may be words, but they tend to be labels or short utterances made by the characters. The primary feature of this genre is that the stories unfold through the illustrations. They require the reader to tell the story visually, noticing small details that propel the story forward. 

Wordless Picture Books are fantastic for young children and children with language delays because they meet the reader at their level of understanding. They also encourage interaction with the text in a fluid manner. The eyes are free to land on details at will, allowing the story to take shape with each new observation. They are also wonderful for parents who struggle with literacy (or language) and feel self-conscious about reading to or with their children. Wordless Picture Books eliminate some of the trepidation these adults face in a parent/child dyad surrounding a shared literacy experience.  As a teacher, I've encouraged many parents to share a book with their child by simply talking about the pictures. This builds positive experiences around reading for the child and keeps them coming back for more. 

However, although there are powerful advantages to Wordless Picture Books, they also present some challenges when utilized in the classroom. In order to present these books to an audience of children, the reader must know the material really well. They must be comfortable leading a discussion because a traditional reading (reading the print) will get you nowhere fast. So, I customarily keep wordless picture books for my teaching, not for a guest reader. 

Then, I fell in love with the wordless picture book Spencer's New Pet by Jessie Sima and really wanted to include it as a Broadway Books book selection. The illustrations feel as though you are watching an old-timey black-and-white movie reel about a boy and his pet balloon (the red balloon dog is the only splash of color in the book). It is a charming, quirky story with a surprise ending that I knew the children would love as much as I did. 

The trick was matching the book with a reader who was up to the demanding task. I needed a guest artist who was willing to do a bit of homework by studying the illustrations closely and plotting out where to stop, what to discuss, and how to engage the children. I needed a guest artist who was comfortable leading a thoughtful discussion. Someone who could constantly read the room to check for understanding and engagement. A person who was used to steering the ship with confidence and enthusiasm. Someone who has pacing and humor and an eye for detail. 

David Staller was that person! David is the founding artistic director of Gingold Theatrical Group, which presents and promotes the work of activist playwright George Bernard Shaw. He is a director and actor - someone quite used to playing nicely in the sandbox with others. He was a guest artist once before in 2019, so I knew he was great with children. His interactions with the students shine with joy and a go-with-the-flow attitude that suggests he is fully present. I knew Spencer's New Pet was a good fit for David, but what would he think?

I sent him a YouTube video showcasing the book and he immediately said yes. He invited me to swing by his Gingold Theatrical offices in midtown Manhattan because I wanted to discuss the challenges of the genre and give him a copy of the book. It was there that he pointed out something in the book that I did not notice. The boy is reading Pygmalion to his new pet! Given David's connection to Shaw (he is the only person to produce and direct all 65 of Shaw's plays, including Pygmalion) this was an astounding sign of kismet. It is also a very clever foreshadowing of upcoming events in the book. 

David Staller directs a scene from Spencer's New Pet

Preparations complete (his with the book, mine teaching the students all about David's work) we happily welcomed David into the classroom. With each turn of the page, I marveled at how beautifully David led the reading. The way he provided just enough information to allow the children to understand the story, while simultaneously sharing their thoughts, their noticing and wonderings, and their enthusiasm was masterful. He crafted suspense by highlighting the many dangers lurking throughout the book, including the myriad, threatening ways Spencer's new pet balloon pup could pop. Until, finally...POP! and we were left to uncover what had just happened (no spoilers here). 

To help the students understand the job of a director, he directed them in a "scene" from the book. It was a great way to get them up and moving. 

This was followed by a book signing with each child taking home a hard copy of the book with a personal message from David. It is another wonderful addition to their personal libraries and provides encouragement for parents to sit and engage in language and story with their children.

In the end, the smiles and hugs let David know that his effort was well received and appreciated. He even took home a new pet of his own - a red balloon dog! 

In fact, we all got a new pet!

New pets inspired by Jessie Sima's picture book, Spencer's New Pet

*Thank you, David Staller, for sharing your brilliance with us once again. We look forward to your next visit.

Sharing Big Moments with Broadway's Daniel Jenkins

Daniel Jenkins visits with Kindergarten and Second Grade students 
(Photo credit: Eileen Lograno)

Something extraordinary happened today and in my excitement I wanted to call my mom to tell her all about it. Sadly, I knew I couldn't, but I could imagine the conversation. She would understand what it means to me to have Daniel Jenkins, the original Huck Finn in Big River, ask me to sing with him. 

It all happened during his visit to my kindergarten classroom as a guest artist with Broadway Books First Class. The fact that Daniel Jenkins was even visiting was enough to set my pulse racing. It's because some of us forge deep connections to certain Broadway shows. We've played the album nonstop, sang every song, know every lyric, sat in the audience to watch it more than once, and bought tickets for our family and friends so they could share our enthusiasm. 

Daniel Jenkins signed my cast album

Big River was one of those shows for me and Daniel Jenkins was my Huck. His voice, his energy, his twang, his humor, and his overall performance were something I dreamed of emulating. 

There have been other favorite shows and other guest artists who've visited with the program that've had me walking on air. There was Alison Fraser (Romance/Romance and The Secret Garden), Douglas Sills (The Scarlet Pimpernel), David Staller (Evita), Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), Kecia Lewis (Once on This Island), Stockard Channing (Grease), and Annie Golden (Hair), but never has one of these incredible performers asked me to duet with them. It was nothing I ever considered doing either. 

Until today. 

Today, Daniel Jenkins surprised me after a student asked, "Can you sing for us?" He turned to me and told me to move my chair a little closer to him. He said I would be singing with him. He chose "Worlds Apart" from Big River.  As I scooted closer, I thought I heard him whisper to the ASL interpreter, "He can sing, right?" 

He began, "I see the same stars through my window..." and then I joined him. He was also signing as he sang, so I locked eyes with him and we told the story of two people finding a connection despite their differences. I wasn't sure how I was doing, but it didn't really matter. I was sharing a moment of importance (to me) that came about because of an act of kindness from someone I have admired for over 30 years. When we finished, I gave him a hug, as the children clapped and cheered, and then I dramatically fell off my chair in disbelief at what had just occurred. 

I'm about to fall off my chair after singing with Tony Award nominee Daniel Jenkins

Daniel's visit this week seemed to have even more weight to it because entering a school these days is an act of courage. The horrific murders of 2 teachers and 19 children in a fourth-grade classroom in Texas has left me despondent. The anguish of the parents and families of the victims hurts my soul. In this fragile state, Daniel Jenkins offered up some joy, a little island to find peace within a wild, untamed ocean. 

His book selection seemed timely as well. Although, a children's book promoting the themes of friendship and acceptance is always a strong selection. 

Daniel Jenkins reading Big Al
(Photo Credit: Dawn Klein)

Daniel chose to read the book Big Al by Andrew Clements and Yoshi. It tells the story of a large, scary looking fish who is lonely because his appearance frightens the other fish. 

Big Al tries everything to hide parts of himself and alter his looks, but nothing works. It isn't until all of the little fish are caught in a fisherman's net and Big Al saves the day that they all realize he is more than meets the eye. It is a heartwarming tale with beautiful illustrations. 

As Daniel read, I looked around the classroom to witness how the story was registering with the children. This energetic bunch was suddenly quiet. All eyes on Daniel and ASL interpreter, Lynnette Taylor, in an impressive show of what can only be called, "rapt attention." 

It dawned on me that this visit was full of "big" moments - both literal and figurative. Here was a guest artist with Broadway credits in Big River (the original production in 1985 and the Deaf West revival in 2003) and Big (in 1996, based on the popular Tom Hanks movie). He read a children's book called Big Al, gave me a very big moment (see above), and shared some truly big life lessons in his responses to the children's questions.

A student askes, "Why did you want to perform on Broadway?"
(Photo Credit: Dawn Klein)

When asked why he wanted to be on Broadway, he responded by telling us about the joys and advantages of playing with people who help you grow. The lesson was one that applies to many situations, but his point was that surrounding yourself with others who are passionate about what they are doing presents opportunities for us to learn and pushes us to improve. Indeed!

We wrapped up the Q&A and Daniel put his considerable ASL and fingerspelling skills to use by signing books for all of the students. With messages of "Peace" he engaged with each child, giving them a moment to be seen and feel valued. 

Daniel signs the first letter in this students name
(Photo credit: Eileen Lograno)

A writer from Broadway World was supposed to attend this guest artist visit for an article about the program. He had to cancel at the last minute and I am sorry he missed a golden opportunity to put some positivity into our grieving country. I'm sorry my mom isn't alive to pick up the phone so I can tell her all about it. A friend told me she's an angel looking out for me now. If that's the case, she did some sweet work with this visit. 

We all lift our hands in gratitude to applaud Daniel Jenkins - thank you!