Fair Trade supporter (and Susie's Mother in law) Mary Jane Gregan was recently featured in the Journal and Courier for her work with African drumming in the classroom. Mary Jane has traveled to Ghana and lived with the women of Global Mamas Fair Trade. Her passion for sharing the culture of Africa to her students is truly inspiring.
Students in Mary Jane Gregan's world cultures class have enjoyed learning African drumming so much, even other students at McCutcheon are talking about "pat pat" class, as they've dubbed it.
"I look forward to this class every day," sophomore Amber Villars said. "Because all the other classes you have to do work in and write, and I don't like to write. This class you don't have to write, and I'm happy when I get out of it."
On Friday, only a month into the school year, Villars and about a dozen other students were patting their way through complex drum ensembles and showing off beats they've practiced and mastered so far.
The class is being offered for the first time this year. Gregan said already they've not only mastered some of the music she learned studying in Ghana, Africa, but the teens have gained some confidence and found a sense of calm for their busy lives.
Throughout the year, the class will focus on other cultures, but Gregan started with the drums, which she said makes learning fun.
"My hope is this is going to be something they carry beyond this class, for a lifetime," Gregan said. "Not just, did they get an A, but the success they've had here."
The teens have also learned a few other skills, including working together and how to lead and follow. To develop the music's beat, students follow the master drummer, whoever it may be at the time, taking visual and audible clues about when to change their rhythm or tempo.
"I like this class because everyone just comes together," sophomore Jamal Brown said.
When one student struggles to pick up the song, others jump in and help. They don't make fun of each other and said they are over any embarrassment about performing for each other. In fact, some of the kids will perform for the freshman class this week.
"This class helps you get connected with everybody else," junior Dusty Greenup said. "Instead of some of the other classes where you're just working with yourself. And you pretty much know everybody in this class."
Greenup also said he's more calm and relaxed after spending an hour in the class before lunch.
"I feel like a weight has been lifted off after this class ... like all the stress, the homework, ISTEPs coming up next week," Dusty said.
Villars agreed and said the class has already given her more confidence
On Friday, in another class, she got to do karaoke, something she'd never have done before because she was too shy.
Other students reported the same thing, which was what Gregan said she hopes they take away: mastering an instrument and feeling smart and successful when they walk out the door.
"You feel like you're accomplished something," senior Amanda Spalding said, "and you don't feel that after every class."
