Posts Tagged ‘New York’
Frank McCourt: Teacher Man
Posted on: August 19, 2009
This is a touching video posted on You Tube by NYU in honor of teacher and Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt. His books include Angela’s Ashes and Teacher Man where he documents his courageous journey.
Frank McCourt was a 30 year veteran New York City public high school teacher. The UFT honored him with the John Dewey Award for Excellence in Education in 2006. Although Frank died this July he will continue to hold the hands of teachers who enter the classroom each year. ” I wanted my students to think for themselves,” he stated. In this tribute film he talks about accepting an honorary doctorate from NYU. “….I am accepting this honorary doctorate not because I wrote 2 books , but because I was a teacher, that’s the main thing.” Frank McCourt did his undergraduate work at NYU and graduate work at Brooklyn College. He is an inspiration to educators and children all over the world. I am grateful to Frank McCourt for being an exemplary educator, and a man who followed his bliss.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Giant Steps and Kind of Blue, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York City
Posted on: March 2, 2009
A beautiful evening honoring exquiste music and gifted musicians John Coltrane and Miles Davis…pic with board members from The Friends of the Coltrane Home…the lovely lady at the far right is Kathleen Coltrane, the wife of saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. It was thrilling to meet her. She is proud of The Kids for Coltrane and supports my work in education. Thank you Kathleen!
After the show, I was invited backstage to meet some of the incredible musicians who performed in honor of John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Please see below. You can tell by everyone’s smiles that it was a joy to be part of this special and memorable event.
Backstage with Alto Saxophonist Sherman Irby, Singer Dave Thomas, Tenor and Soprano Saxophonist Walter Blanding, and Pianist Mulgrew Miller…and my daughter. I was also hoping to talk to the legend Jimmy Cobb who treated the audience to his powerful gift on the drums, but he had already left the building. I wanted to tell him all about The Kids for Coltrane.
Kids for Coltrane 