Elka Veselinova

It was Lynn, the school librarian, who told me about the release of Rafe Esquith’s new book “Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire”. “He will talk in live and his students, the Hobart Shakespeareans, will be there as well”, Lynn said. “Really?!”, I could not believe I had the chance to meet the only public school teacher to be honored by both Oprah Winfrey and Dalai Lama; and the only school teacher ever to receive the president's National Medal of the Arts. “I must go to the lecture!”, I made the decision right away. I cannot describe with words the admiration I felt listening to him. I was grateful I went to the lecture because I realized there was much to learn from this exceptional teacher. For the past 25 years, Esquith has taught fifth graders at Hobart Elementary in central Los Angeles. Like most progressive educators, Esquith is outraged by the tyranny of testing, the scripting of teaching under 'No Child Left Behind' and the overwhelming bureaucratization of the education industry. Still, he has done wonders with the basic curriculum — developing a hands-on arts program, a money-management curriculum and a sports-based statistics unit. Esquith and his Hobart Shakespeareans are world famous for the rock opera they create every year. Throughout each school day, Esquith teaches life skills: how to think about problems, how to plan a strategy to solve them and, most important, how to work together and be nice to each other. When I thanked him for the lesson I learned that evening, I did not expect he would spend time talking to me. I gave him the book I had and asked him to sign it for me. This is what he wrote: “It was an honor to meet you.” Actually, it was an honor to meet him - Rafe Esquith, “the genius and the saint” as The New York Times says.

http://picasaweb.google.com/MeetingWithRafeEsquith

When I realized Julianne Johnson would come to school and sing in the cafeteria I said: “Too good to be true.” However, it happened to be true. And it was not too good. It was incredibly good!

Julianne is not just a vocalist, but an entertainer who has the ability to connect with an audience, no matter how large, in a personal manner. From jazz, to R & B, Motown to Broadway, Gospel to Blues, Julianne has the education, skill and experience to display with professionalism each musical style. She is a star but she does not show even a single trace of megalomania. Talking to her I felt we have known each other for ages. I am proud and honored to have one of her CDs, “Inspired”, in my collection.

http://picasaweb.google.com/TalentAndAnExceptionalVoice