Teaching Artistry: A bit of my past year/recording and justifying the magic/ thanks

This past year was very fruitful for me as a teaching artist. As many of you know, I am always trying to strike the balance between my active artistry, and work as a teaching artist. Whenever I perform as an actor or storyteller, the response is immediate in the form of applause or the feedback immediately after. The teaching artist stuff is a little trickier. Because many of these gigs are funded by grants that have very specific criteria,the work is evaluated more in terms of the goals of the grant being met more than anything else.Oftentimes you wonder if evaluators have any sense of the magic that is not always apparent from the way that they quantify success. For example,I took a group of young men from a High School in Harlem to do a community clean up this spring. These young brothers came up with this idea themselves. How did we travel to that point of self determination? Poetry, monologues, discussion, role plays, and brainstorming by using the arts as a foundation. I remember one of the evaluators during a site visit asking me what these activities had to do with their academic development ? My answer was "everything."
I made several short films documenting some of my projects this past year, because I've come to the conclusion that for many folks it's easier for them to get it if they see it through process. The film of the Community clean up is called"Harlem Me".
I also have "Future now" that I filmed of some teens in a Harlem Homeless Family Shelter, and "Haters No, Dreamers Yes" filmed with a 9th class with mostly English as a second language speakers in Bushwick , Brooklyn. What I have captured probably wouldn't pass anybody's test of pristine camera, sound, etc., but they do serve as a record of the magic.
Like all years, I've had some administrators who get it, and some who don't(such is the nature of teaching artist work) One principal was very angry with me, because prior to showing a video of some teens in Brownsville Brooklyn doing poetry, that I didn't explain to an audience of their peers what they were about to watch. I honestly didn't know what to say. I felt that the poems would speak for themselves. There are those, however who see us and what we are trying to do even when we don't think that people get it. The following is an email that I received recently from a school that like many in NYC is suffering budget cuts , and therefore won't be able to use me after a 3 year relationship. The wonderful woman who wrote this was just laid off. She captures me working in a moment that I didn't even realize she was paying close attention to.

Dear Daniel,

I hope the summer is going well for you and that this email finds you in good health.
This is to formally let you know that SSR will not be granted the Extended Day/Violence Prevention grant that enabled to school to take advantage of your excellent services and it is unlikely, given the school's tight budget, that there will be sufficient funds elsewhere to retain your services.

I would like to thank you and Blackberry Production for your years of service at this school. Of all the talents that you brought to the school Daniel, I think your greatest was the ability to inspire students. You have such a friendly, warm way with students, At the same time you didn't try to become a peer so that they would like you, you would not accept anything but their best, pushing them to expect more of themselves and to do more. This resulted in so many wonderful performances at the school, most of which has been written by the students.
I remember the last interaction that I witnessed with you working with a student. It was Ramshah, she refused to perform her poem at Brooklyn College because she didn't think that she could do it effectively - she was upset. You didn't try to persuade her to go, you just calmly asked her to read her poem to you. Then you asked her to read it again. You pointed out a few areas where she could put emphasis and where to pause. She read it again and again; each time you suggested something new that she could do to improve her delivery. Within an hour she felt confident enough to perform on stage, now she is unstoppable. So many SSR students have benefited from your talents and your ability to bring out theirs. You have been with them in the classroom, on stage, making videos, teaching them the history of blacks in Brooklyn and so much more. You gave of your time, way beyond what was paid. You gave us the gift of yourself and we are grateful. Allow me to wish you the greatest of success for you and your organization. I pretty sure I will be seeing you on the big screen in the future.

With love and respect

Joan Vendryes

and one more. This was a tour that I gave of Harlem to some young folks


The Leaders-In-Training had a GREAT time on Saturday. Daniel Carlton is a dynamic, engaging, very fun person to be around! The teens were on the quieter side, but I know they got a lot out of the film, the discussion, and walking tour. Please let Daniel know that we were thrilled to have him as such an important part of our day. And having posters and information packets to give to all of them was very generous. Thank you!!!
Many thanks again!!
Best,Gaby

Gaby Moss
Executive Director, Camp AmeriKids

My fellow teaching artists-some folks do get it