Listen, dammit! Student voice, are you listening? Danez Smith at TEDxBurnsvilleED

Danez Smith, Consultant for SPPS
Danez Smith is a proud Cave Canem Fellow, two-time Pushcart Nominee, and Best New Poets Nominee. He has taken his work across the country to schools, community centers, poetry venues and theaters across the country. Smith came into writing through slams. He placed 6th at the 2011 Individual World Poetry Slam and is the 2013 Rustbelt Midwest Regional Slam champion.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@acomesbeforez]

This is so powerful. Thank you!! As a new educator hearing from all sides (except kids themselves) what is best for kids , I really needed to hear this.

[@renabrown3977]

Everyone wants to be heard.

[@sterlinghiga4604]

Much love.

[@kimsykes4667]

You're wonderful.

[@whaleposterz]

Ok and when you ask them what do you want to learn about and they say "nothing I don't care" then what? The whole stance on this video should be aimed for the administrators in a building, teachers have to paint within the lines admin provides. I cant teach about alligators for a full year because the disengaged student in the back only wants to learn about alligators. And then what about Middle School, High School? There's just too many people to please between students, parents, society and professional knowledge about what exemplary work looks like in a certain subject when it comes to teaching.