The Q-Kids: Thunder Road Block Party

By John R. Nocero and Andrea Bordonaro

JRN: My go to song at the beginning of every workday is Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen. I first got into it in college but the lyrics caught me a couple years ago: Show a little faith, there is magic in the night.” I started playing it daily in August 2021 and it is the first song on my playlist each morning. It keeps me grounded and focused on the day ahead with my own personal journey down Thunder Road, albeit virtually of course.

?According to the Web site, Old Time Music, Springsteen wrote “Thunder Road” at a pivotal point in his career, when he was grappling with the pressures of the music industry and the desire to create something truly extraordinary. The song follows the journey of Mary and the narrator, who dreams of escaping their current circumstances and finding a better life together. As the narrator pleads for Mary to join him on his journey, he offers her a chance to break free from the monotony of small-town life and embrace the possibilities that lie beyond.

?The song’s chorus, “Oh, oh, come take my hand, we’re ridin’ out tonight to case the promised land,” serves as a powerful and optimistic rallying cry, inviting listeners to embark on their own personal quests for freedom and self-discovery.

?While you may doubt it, hear me out a sec because as leaders and educators we share similarities with both Mary and the narrator here. Each day, when we step in front of the audience, we offer them a chance to break from what they know, and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. We teach them new skills, lessons and give them new confidence. Each study should also be on their own personal quest for freedom and self-discovery and that should carry into adulthood.

?My questions to you this week:

1. Do you have a mantra song, like Thunder Road, that puts you into the mood to teach?

2. How do you relate to the song’s lyrics and are they metaphorical to your time in the classroom?

3. How do you show a little faith when kids are solving difficult problems and is it magic in the night when they solve them?

ALB: 1. I love that you ask this because you know how connected to music that I am. It really inspires me, motivates?me, relaxes me, puts me in a good mood, etc. I have to say that I don't have ONE specific song that puts me in the mood to teach, but YEAH! by Usher and BLOCK PARTY by New Kids on the Block are very motivating to me. While the background and story behind these songs?are not as detailed, inspiring, or worth mentioning, it is the tune, upbeat nature and the singer(s) behind the songs that pump me up, in a sense. These two artists, among a few others, help bring me back to ME and why I am here to do what I do.

I cannot keep my body still and stop myself from singing along as I blare these two songs, as they intrinsically motivate me in ways that honestly I cannot explain. The NKOTB song especially takes me to summer, being at the beach, and at their concert, which are my "happy places," so I am motivated when I hear it to keep going until I can get there again :)

2. I relate to BLOCK PARTY's lyrics because Donnie sings that:

Hey, so want some satisfaction?

Twenty-five years, still got 'em packed? Them other kids thought they had us backed in

This is about NKOTB being doubted over the years (they've been a band for over 35 years) as being able to pack stadiums, stay together, maintain a lively audience, keep a solid fan base, etc...but here they are, all these years later, with ALL of these things and more. SO very motivating to me, mostly because I have been a die-hard fan for their entire existence, but also when I start to doubt myself and how effective I am as a teacher (some days in recent years I feel very defeated and have to battle the inner thoughts that I could always be doing more), I listen to or think of this song and I am reminded at how powerful it is to stick to what you belong doing and it'll be amazing!

Also, these lyrics:

Everybody, everywhere You can feel it in the air Leave your troubles all behind Only good times here tonight Are you ready? Here it comes You're about to feel the love Gonna find out who you really are Baby, you're a star

speak to me in so many ways, too when I am feeling down or doubtful...it's just a fun-loving feeling to remind myself of my worth as a teacher and as a woman, to be quite honest. It's the voice behind these lyrics that really pegs me, too. Donnie Wahlberg is super inspiring to me and hearing his words brings such a feeling of love, motivation, and determination within me. The same almost applies to the Usher song I mentioned above.

3. One of the most rewarding parts of being a first grade teacher is the ability to be so instrumental in building every child's confidence level, especially when they are struggling in any way, whether it's academic in nature, socially, etc. I take such great pride in helping each and every child in my class find their inner voice and realize what makes them special, which helps them stay determined to solve problems of any nature. First grade is such a monumental time in a child's life as they are getting to know themselves as real people with genuine interests, areas of weakness, strengths, needs, desires, and varying levels of understanding. I tell all parents at the start of every school year that if I can help their child develop a love of learning and enjoy being in school and help them love themselves in any capacity, then I've done my "job" this year.

Academics are secondary, to be honest. I aim to help each child be good citizens, empathetic, have a good level of understanding about their own emotions and how to handle them (Zones of Regulation help with this), and know that I am here to help them grow not only as learners, but as individuals, then I not only have a happier classroom, but I see BIG changes with these kids mid-way through the school year.? It's really remarkable and yes, when that "light bulb" goes on when they "get it" or solve a problem, it's just a giant reminder to me as to why I do what I do. I have had countless students from over my twenty-five years in the classroom come back to me saying these things like "you really helped me believe in myself" and "you always worked so hard to make learning fun" and "I always knew that you cared about me and wanted the best for me," etc. THIS is the essence of being an unforgettable figure in their young lives for years to come. It's also the motivation I use to stay inspired for my final eight to ten years in the classroom before retirement, even on the most challenging of days.