TEDxGoldenGateED - Jeff Duncan-Andrade - Growing Roses in Concrete

Summary

In this powerful speech, the speaker reflects on the metaphor of life being 'half full or half empty' and its impact on one's perspective. Drawing from Tupac Shakur's poem, the speaker addresses the harsh realities faced by urban youth, likening them to roses growing from concrete. They discuss the prevalence of PTSD in these communities, emphasizing the need for educational systems to address the trauma and provide support. The speaker shares their experience of transforming an East Oakland school through a looping system that focuses on the students' well-being, leading to significant improvements in retention and academic success. The talk concludes with a vision for community-centered education that nurtures students and encourages them to give back, creating a sustainable cycle of growth and support.

Takeaways

• 🌹 The metaphor of a 'half-full or half-empty glass' is used to illustrate the choice between optimism and pessimism, emphasizing the impact of perspective on life's experiences.
• 📚 Tupac Shakur's poem about roses growing from concrete is highlighted as a symbol of resilience and the potential for growth despite harsh conditions.
• 🏙️ The PBS film series 'Unnatural Causes' is mentioned to underscore the unnatural and changeable conditions that contribute to urban poverty and its effects on youth.
• 🗺️ The speaker's personal experience in East Oakland is shared to provide a real-world example of the high levels of violence and its impact on young people's lives.
• 🔍 The media's portrayal of homicide rates in Oakland is critiqued for its dehumanizing language, such as referring to the situation as a 'plague'.
• 👨‍🎓 The speaker discusses the long-term effects of trauma and violence on students, including the high rates of PTSD among urban youth compared to war veterans.
• 🌱 The importance of addressing the 'concrete' of urban poverty by providing additional resources and support in education is emphasized to foster growth and success.
• 📈 The speaker's educational program's success is attributed to a looping system that follows students over multiple years, leading to improved retention, college attendance, and GPAs.
• 🌟 The concept of self-actualization as a precondition for academic success is introduced, challenging the current educational system's focus on test scores and GPAs.
• 🌱 The idea of sustainability in education is presented, suggesting that successful educational models should not only help individuals escape challenging circumstances but also contribute to the betterment of their communities.
• ❤️ The power of compassion, love, and the belief in the importance of every individual is shared as a driving force behind the speaker's educational approach and its success.

Q & A

What lesson did the speaker's mother teach him with the 'half full or half empty' glass analogy?

The speaker's mother taught him that how one chooses to perceive the glass – as half full or half empty – reflects how they will live their life. If someone focuses on what they lack, they will never feel fulfilled, but if they focus on what they have, their sense of abundance will grow and overflow, allowing them to share with others.

How does the speaker relate Tupac Shakur's poem 'The Rose That Grew from Concrete' to his perspective on urban youth?

The speaker uses Tupac's poem to illustrate the resilience of young people growing up in urban poverty. Just as a rose growing from concrete is celebrated for its tenacity despite its damaged petals, young people in difficult environments should be celebrated for their strength and perseverance.

What is the significance of the term 'concrete' in the speaker's analogy?

In the analogy, 'concrete' represents the harsh and unnatural conditions in which urban youth grow up, such as poverty, violence, and systemic neglect. These conditions are not natural but created by societal structures, meaning they can be changed.

Why does the speaker criticize the focus on test scores and attendance in schools?

The speaker criticizes the focus on test scores and attendance because it neglects the material conditions and traumatic experiences of students' lives. He argues that education should address these realities to genuinely support and care for students.

What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD) and why is it relevant to urban youth?

Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is a term used to describe the effects of prolonged, repeated trauma. It's relevant to urban youth because they often experience continuous exposure to violence and trauma, unlike soldiers who typically experience trauma in specific combat situations.

How does the speaker’s program address the needs of students in his community?

The speaker's program uses a looping system where educators stay with cohorts of students over multiple years, providing consistent support. The program addresses students' basic needs and creates a nurturing environment that focuses on emotional and social development, leading to higher retention, improved academic performance, and more college admissions.

Why does the speaker mention Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and how does it relate to his approach to education?

The speaker mentions Maslow's hierarchy of needs to emphasize that students' basic needs must be met before they can achieve higher levels of personal and academic success. His approach to education focuses on ensuring students' fundamental needs are met to promote self-actualization, which is crucial for long-term academic success.

What is the difference between the speaker's program and models like the Harlem Children’s Zone?

The speaker's program differs from models like the Harlem Children’s Zone in that it emphasizes sustainability and community connection. Instead of helping students leave their communities, the program focuses on fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging students to return and contribute positively to their communities.

How did Maya Angelou's intervention with Tupac Shakur illustrate her philosophy of recognizing the potential in young people?

Maya Angelou's intervention with Tupac Shakur showed her ability to see beyond his exterior behavior and recognize his inherent value and potential. She reminded him of his worth and importance to the community, which positively impacted his life and ultimately his influence on others.

What does the speaker mean by 'creating rose gardens' in the context of his community work?

By 'creating rose gardens,' the speaker means fostering an environment where individuals who have grown and succeeded despite difficult circumstances return to their communities. These individuals, like roses, help create a nurturing and supportive community that encourages others to grow and thrive.