T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant's coverage of an Orangeburg County Consolidated School District 5 board meeting in September 2008 led with the comment, "I need help. I believe they're worth it."

William J. Clark Middle School teacher Charles Hopkins made the comment in response to a question from Chairman Julius Page. The district board's focus was finding alternative and innovative ways to reach students in the classroom.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction Dr. Helen Tillar recommended conferences headed by the district's content specialists designed to assist teachers in lesson planning, help analyze testing data and assess teachers' strengths and weaknesses.

Lana Williams, principal at Clark, entered the 2008-09 school year with a bright idea of her own, taking a totally different approach from the usual pedagogy.

"If you're trying to find something most kids are attuned to, music is a no-brainer," Williams said.

Reflecting on an earlier experiment with music through a component called "C-House" within the school's art department, Williams recalled the immediate impact and captivating effect the program had because of the song created to represent the club.

"The entire student body caught on," Williams said. "I was amazed. So many kids not in the club wanted to join in and sing along, and from there, the idea was born."

At the start of the school year, Williams implemented a music-engineering program as part of the regular curriculum open only to seventh- and eighth-grade students. The program is designed to teach students how to create and produce their own musical tracks and write original lyrics of self-expression.

Williams orchestrated the program in the midst of a dismal state mid-year budget report, indicating a $551,579 shortfall.

Science teacher and musical engineer Zebulon Dinkins teaches the program.

"An investment of less than $2,500 for the equipment has improved student learning, deterred bad behavior and increased the possibility of educating every child," Dinkins said.

Focusing deeper on the program's impact, Dinkins views music as an outlet for students to release the frustrations that develop out of peer pressure and family situations.

One of the program's most aspiring students, Lakisha White, a seventh-grader, said it makes her feel better about herself as a student.

"I have a passion now," White said. "My grades are better, my behavior is better and my attitude is definitely better."

Teachers and staff have noticed inspiring changes in students' behavior after taking the course.

"It's a total 360 degrees turnaround for some students in the program," said Priscilla Hollington, literacy coach. "It heightens the students' self-affirmation. This new sense of confidence in 'self' in time spills over into other classroom settings in which students were having learning and behavioral difficulties."

V.R. Velummylum, an eighth-grade math teacher, said student Lavasia Sistrunk has begun to show exceptional leadership skills and capabilities. "She's a cheerleader, reads the morning announcements and has opened up to a point where we can discuss matters and not annoy each other on bad days."

Dinkins would like to see the program duplicated throughout the middle schools in the districts of Orangeburg County.

"This new and innovative way of reaching students is not only incredibly effective but also it's very affordable," Dinkins said.

"I want to see kids achieve their goals in life despite the obstacles some of our students may face in the district," Williams said. "I understand the 'new' standard set today for educators: 'You have to reach before you can teach.'"

T&D Correspondent Rodney Brown is a student in the Mass Communications Department at Claflin University.

You must be logged in to comment.