How Does the Hobart Shakespeareans Program Transform Lives?

TL;DR

The Hobart Shakespeareans program transforms underprivileged students' lives by prioritizing arts education and lifelong values over standardized tests. By immersing students in the arts, the program fosters skills such as discipline, teamwork, and integrity, enabling students to excel academically and develop a love for learning.

Transcript

I'm Rafe and I've been my 30th year teaching public school at Hobart Elementary School in downtown Los Angeles for those of you who don't know Hobart school is not easy the children do not speak English as a first language the children live in terrible poverty and tragically less than 40% of the children even finish high school but the kids in room... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The Hobart Shakespeareans program focuses on lifelong skills and values over standardized testing.
• 🥰 Immersion in the arts allows students to internalize values like discipline and teamwork.
• 🧑‍🎓 Students at Hobart Elementary School overcome barriers like poverty and language to excel academically.
• 🥰 Teaching through the arts can lead to profound understanding and engagement with subject matter.
• 🧑‍🎓 Rafe Esquith prioritizes creating well-rounded individuals over simply preparing students for tests.
• 💨 The impact of the program extends beyond academic success to shaping students' lives in significant ways.
• 🧑‍🎓 Students are given the opportunity to embody Shakespearean characters through acting, fostering deep understanding.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the Hobart Shakespeareans program at Hobart Elementary School impact students' lives?

The program transforms underprivileged students' lives by instilling vital skills and values through arts education, leading to academic success and beyond.

Q: Why does Rafe Esquith prioritize teaching lifelong skills over standardized tests at Hobart Elementary School?

Esquith believes that teaching skills like discipline and teamwork prepares students for success beyond the classroom and standardized tests, creating well-rounded individuals.

Q: How do the Hobart Shakespeareans learn and internalize values like integrity and teamwork?

Through immersion in the arts, students at Hobart Elementary School engage with Shakespearean plays, developing a deep connection to the themes and values presented.

Q: How do the Hobart Shakespeareans showcase their understanding of Shakespearean works?

Rather than taking tests, students in the program act out Shakespearean plays like Hamlet, embodying the characters and themes, demonstrating a profound understanding of the material.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Rafe Esquith teaches at Hobart Elementary School in LA, where students overcome poverty and language barriers to excel.

• The Hobart Shakespeareans program focuses on values like discipline and teamwork instead of standardized testing.

• Students learn through immersion in the arts, internalizing skills like integrity and a joy of learning.