In this episode I chat with accomplished educator and author, Jeffery Pflaum. As an inner-city educator with 34 years of experience in the New York City Department of Education, Jeffrey considers himself a “teacher-developer-researcher-experimentalist” in the classroom. He produced many original, innovative, progressive projects in EI, SEL, identity, creativity, imagination, poetry, writing (prose), thinking, reading, concentration, and values clarification. “The Contemplation Music Writing Project” uses music of all kinds, contemplation, reflection, writing, discussion, and self-evaluations to lead young people on peaceful journeys of self-discovery, understanding, motivation, and education. His book, MOTIVATING TEEN AND PRETEEN READERS: HOW TEACHERS AND PARENTS CAN LEAD THE WAY (Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2011), presents my creative techniques for teaching struggling and reluctant readers. THE INNER CITIES POETRY ARTS PROJECT is an anthology that spans over 15 years of his students' free-verse poetry. Educators and researchers alike can access these “internal education” programs at www.independent.academia.edu/PflaumJ. Check out Jeffrey's website, www.JeffreyPflaum.com, to find more articles, posts, projects, and curricula, including the student poetry, to use in classrooms from lower elementary grades through high school.
As an inner-city educator of 34 years years, Jeffrey created original, progressive, and innovative curricula for students and teachers.
One program "The Contemplation Music Writing Project" uses music of all kinds, contemplation, writing (prose/poetry), discussion, and evaluations to develop self and other awareness, creativity, communication skills, sensitivity, resilience, and contemplation to change the classroom into a positive and peaceful learning environment.
This extremely successful project ran for 20 years in one of NYC's most challenging schools/districts. Jeffrey is still in touch with many former students--now in their 40's and 50's--on Facebook.
The contemplation technique expanded into other programs such as "Reflection Writing," where elementary/middle school kids searched their experiences to respond to teacher-created themes related to everyday life as well as academic life.
You can find many of Jeffrey's projects at Academia.edu:
