On our show today, Jacob Hardesty! He’s an assistant professor of education at Rockford University. He’s also the author of The Jazz Problem: education and the battle for morality in the Jazz Age.
In the book, Jacob argues that Jazz was the first American culture war of the 20th Century, and one of the primary battlefields of that war were schools.
Students wanted to dance the Charleston, and their parents and teachers were terrified it would lead them down a path of moral, even spiritual degradation. It’s all happening at a time when schools are becoming a bigger and more important part of American life than they ever had been.
We’re diving into the Jazz Problem, how parents and teachers teamed up to try to solve it, the history of moral panics, and how history may not repeat itself, but it tends to rhyme.
If you’ve never listened to Teachers’ Lounge before, our show is based on an idea -- we’ve all had teachers in our lives who shaped who we are. And we want to hear about the teachers who inspired you or deserve a spotlight in your community. Every educator we have on this podcast, whether teacher, coach, counselor or professor, is nominated by our listeners.
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SHOW NOTES
Educator in this episode:
Jacob Hardesty
Stories in this episode:
How northern Illinois schools and students are responding to Trump's immigration policies
Music: Our show's theme music is from the northern Illinois-based band "Kindoves" and their songs "Popn," "Origins" and "Quiche." You can find more of their music on their Soundcloud page. You can also listen to the episode of WNIJ's Sessions from Studio A where they were featured.
Teachers! People who know teachers! People with stories about teachers! Send us an email and be part of the show!
