Teachers and Rock Stars...More in Common Than You Think

If you want to make a teacher feel great, call them a “Rock Star”.  Lately this is what I have been hearing outstanding teachers referred to as.  There have even been numerous articles written and blogs posted about what makes a teacher reach this elite status. (Julie Adams from Adams Educational Consulting is one of my favorites http://tinyurl.com/qj6pemg).  This week I decided to take light-hearted and perhaps even a little nostalgic look at the two seemingly very different career paths one might choose and examine what they have in common.

If you are a “Rock Star” or a “Teacher”…

• You are adored by your audience (See the Beatles arriving to the United States on February 7, 1964)
• You don’t get better overnight, you practice (Stevie Wonder started playing when he was 4 years old)
• You use whatever instruments you have available to create something unique (More cowbell!)
• You collaborate, sometimes even with the most unlikely partner (David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing Peace on Earth)
• You become a strong voice in your field and advocate for others (Who could ever forget We are the World?)
• You are having fun when you are doing your thing (If you’ve ever seen Bruce Springsteen in concert you know what I mean)
• You are recognized when you go to the local supermarket (Is that why Kiss wore makeup in the 70’s?)
• You do things that are revolutionary (Bob Dylan went electric in 1965)
• You don’t get too down when faced with setbacks (Does anyone else remember U2’s 1997 release Pop? Yeah, me neither!)
• You provide others with memories that will last a lifetime (Elvis Presley on the Ed Sullivan Show)