Teaching the power of the word

Abstract

This ethnodrama communicates the lived experience of an outstanding teacher of English who worked in the Chicago Public Schools for more than 20 years. Excerpts from three semi-structured interviews have been constructed into a one-woman show that uses music, dance, and the art of theater to convey the spiritual beauty of ambitious, urban teaching and to challenge and enlighten researchers, teachers, and the public-at-large “in a manner that cannot be dismissed.” Lessons, relationships, and the joy and suffering of schoolwork come to life on stage. The script is accompanied by a poem by Ruth Nicole Brown that discusses the ethnodrama in relation to culturally responsive pedagogy.

Keywords:

• English education
• culturally responsive pedagogy
• ethnodrama
• spirituality in urban education
• Chicago Public School teachers and students

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the following people and institutions for their assistance: Ruth Nicole Brown, Gene Deerman, Martha Feldman, Madelene Lampert, Alexandra Milleta, Johnny Saldaña, and Tatiana Suspitsina for their work as chairs and respondents to the production’s early performances. The Institute for the Humanities at the University of Michigan for a grant that helped fund the premier performance. Virginia Vanover and Cathy Lu for the many hours of unpaid work they put in to learn the part of Anise Arcova. Ernest Vanover for his photographs and comments on the script. Beth Blacksin, Barbara Fields, Frances Syzmanski, and Diane Walker for serving as my informal Chicago focus group. David Dodd for his translation of Creon’s speech. Three anonymous reviewers for their comments. Drew Stanley at Taylor & Francis Group for help setting the manuscript. Most of all, to the teacher I call Anise Arcova, for her deep knowledge, great heart, and strong kindness.

Notes

1. Ruth Nicole Brown’s poem can be accessed at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09518398.2013.835081