December 2 and 9: Sweet Cherie at Coolidge HS
Beth Sewell welcomed Teach the Beat back this year for two visits — this time in person instead of virtual! The classroom was brimming with excited energy. Sewell prepared students extensively for the visits with engaging lessons and activities to help them learn more about go-go’s history and culture. No stranger to collaborating with Teaching for Change, Sewell has participated in meetings for our working groups and hosted classroom visits for FilmFest DC.
One teacher, Ms. Vanessa, stopped by because she heard the music as she was walking through the hallway. While there, Vanessa shared that she used to teach Little Benny when she taught at Ballou. One day years ago, he asked to be dismissed early from her class so he could go to his music rehearsal and luckily she gave him permission to leave. Not too long after that, she heard his name on the radio while playing with Rare Essence!
The visits to Coolidge were impactful for everyone, including Sweet Cherie, a native Washingtonian. She grew up around Petworth and Brightwood, and her parents went to Coolidge HS. She knew the music program teacher who has taught at Coolidge for decades, and we took time to explore how much has changed at the school over the years.
Sewell shared:
It was so much fun and really helped our newcomers to the U.S. understand go-go and its history. Thanks for your work around preserving the culture.
