On gifts, service and how this music teacher fosters joy and belonging.

Tomorrow marks the start of Teacher Appreciation Week, and through our work with DonorsChoose, we’re celebrating all the ways that teachers steward the future – from how they shape and nurture our youth to stand on the frontlines against all the ways oppression and discrimination manifests in the classroom.

So today, we’re hearing directly from a teacher in our community. Eric Williamson (he/him) is an artist, educator, and the music teacher at a school in Brooklyn, NY. Today, he shares more about the joy he finds through his work, and the challenges he and many teachers face.

Eric is currently trying to fund a drum kit for his classroom! If you wish to support you can do so here.

Nicole:. I've stalked you on the internet for a little bit – you're so talented! And I’m sure your students gain so much from watching you step into your vision in the way that you do. So, thank you for the work that you do. Tell me about who you are, what you do, and why this work matters.

Eric: I teach at PS 32, where over 60% of the student population is neurodiverse. It’s an integrated co-teaching environment that allows them to thrive. I really love teaching kids as young as pre-K and first grade throughout their entire time at PS 32.

I always say representation matters, but for me, it's really about what it means to be in the fullness of your humanity. I love being at PS 32 because I'm able to be out in my full Black queer self, and everything that comes with it. I am very fluid in terms of my gender expression. At PS 32, I have kids as young as five years old tell me their pronouns, tell me that they're trans, and that really transformed my own personal teaching and encouraged me to do more than the kind of surface-level representation stuff.

Unfortunately, it’s life and death right now. So many of our Black and brown queer, trans and non-binary kids are killing themselves. There are so many messages sounding us saying “you're not valuable, you're not loved, you're not important, you shouldn't exist.” I take the risk every day to be in the fullness of my identity because it is lifesaving and life-changing. I use music as a vehicle for us to express ourselves, and all of the big feelings that come with seeing everything happening in the news.

DonorsChoose has been really helpful for me, especially over the past three years coming out of the pandemic. Seeing that there was a lack of resources, and how, when it comes to arts education, the way that I've been trained and many other music teachers is rooted in ableism, I found myself going on DonorsChoose and fundraising to find additional resources. Now my students are not overstimulated but engaged actively and supportively and safely, and they can express themselves.

Nicole: Tell me a bit about the challenges that you've experienced as a teacher. We know that on average, teachers are spending about $610 out of pocket for resources.

Eric: It is actually very difficult to teach in New York City. As a specialty teacher, I have my own classroom, but I teach the whole school. Other classroom teachers also have to buy supplies for their classrooms, but they’re usually just for one class. In my case, I have to buy things that will be shared by the entire student body. I'm also working with musical instruments, which need upkeep and repair. I’m spending at least $500, depending on the year and what needs to be replaced.

There are three buckets: buying new instruments, repairing instruments, and sanitizing instruments. Those are three different financial investments that are not always covered by the school budget, or art teacher grants from the DOE. It's a lot of money, and I don't make that much. But it's a labor of love, and I would do anything for my kids. They deserve to have the best.

Nicole: Tell me a bit about what you think the role of arts and music is in society.

Eric: Arts and music are essential. If there were no arts and music in the world, then what are we doing? When we think about all of the momentum happening in our society in terms of the rallies and the protests, it's all centered in the arts and music. It is the most human thing we can do. They're essential not just to learning and teaching, but for our humanity. If we're not addressing who we are as humans, I don't believe we're teaching anything.

Outside of PS 32, I am the artistic director of Lavender Light, the Black and people of all colors, lesbian and gay gospel choir – the first in the world since 1985. I'm also an adjunct professor at NYU.

As we're thinking about Teacher Appreciation Week, every way that you can support matters. When you see us post things on social media, share them! It goes a long way. If you got the dollars, please spend the dollars. But if you don't have the dollars, please share. Send a word of encouragement. Please come to our shows. Please come help us set up things. Please come help volunteer. Teamwork makes the dream work. Help us make the dream work and be a part of the team.

Eric Williamson (he/him) is the PreK-5 general music teacher at PS 32 located in Brooklyn, NY. PS32 is a community school that serves neurodiverse students in an integrated teaching environment. Mr. Williamson received his B.A. in Music from the Pennsylvania State University and his M.A. in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. As a National Facilitator for the Human Rights Campaign Welcoming Schools program, he has led workshops on LGBTQ+ inclusion. He has also led workshops centering Anti-racism and Culturally Responsive Teaching at Carnegie Hall and nationwide at various conferences. Additionally, he is the Artistic Director of Lavender Light the Black and People of All Colors Lesbian & Gay Gospel Choir and an adjunct professor at NYU. For more information, please visit www.ericwilliamson.org