Achievement First is a growing network of public charter schools in the Northeast. During the beginning of my freshman year of high school, I shadowed the Director of the Arts, Kerry Cabri. After a few short months of gaining experience and insight on music, I was offered the incredible opportunity to prepare a group of students for a district wide music festival in Brooklyn, New York. At first, I was incredibly nervous at the thought of mentoring students of a completely different background as me; they grew up in inner city Brooklyn, and I grew up in the suburbs of Piscataway. I didn’t know if I would able to reach the students to truly connect with them, and teach them to love music like myself. However, I did not let this petty fear prevent
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When she was four years old, Asia and her family immigrated from the West Indies after living in poverty most of their life. Now living in Brooklyn, she has a better life and access to a great education. After about a month of music lessons, Asia was questioning whether or not she wanted to continue with choir because, although she loved music, she had crippling stage fright. Funnily enough, I was in her same exact position as a seventh grader. I told her it was possible to overcome it, sharing my similar experience with her on how I had terrible stage fright, but conquered it by joining my school's drama club program. I was able to connect with Asia and inspire her to continue to pursue music, providing the hope and belief that she can achieve and become anything. Thankfully, Asia decided to continue with choir, and now she is currently a freshman at Fiorello H. Laguardia High School Of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Like many of my other students, I stay in contact with Asia. Recently, I received a letter from her saying “if I had not had you as my teacher, my life would be very different. You opened my eyes to what I could be and what I could do in a way I never thought possible. Thank you for always encouraging me”. It is an honor to know I’ve had such an impact on her life. Students like Asia Martin are proving every day that all students—regardless of race, class or circumstances—can overcome challenges with hard work and motivation, and become the next generation of
When she was four years old, Asia and her family immigrated from the West Indies after living in poverty most of their life. Now living in Brooklyn, she has a better life and access to a great education. After about a month of music lessons, Asia was questioning whether or not she wanted to continue with choir because, although she loved music, she had crippling stage fright. Funnily enough, I was in her same exact position as a seventh grader. I told her it was possible to overcome it, sharing my similar experience with her on how I had terrible stage fright, but conquered it by joining my school's drama club program. I was able to connect with Asia and inspire her to continue to pursue music, providing the hope and belief that she can achieve and become anything. Thankfully, Asia decided to continue with choir, and now she is currently a freshman at Fiorello H. Laguardia High School Of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Like many of my other students, I stay in contact with Asia. Recently, I received a letter from her saying “if I had not had you as my teacher, my life would be very different. You opened my eyes to what I could be and what I could do in a way I never thought possible. Thank you for always encouraging me”. It is an honor to know I’ve had such an impact on her life. Students like Asia Martin are proving every day that all students—regardless of race, class or circumstances—can overcome challenges with hard work and motivation, and become the next generation of