Bothell/
Kenmore Reporter ~ September 19, 2007Secondary Academy gets the blues
By Joshua Adam Hicks
Staff Writer
But students at the Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) tend to see things other ways around: it's the traditional academic regimen that wasn't cutting it.
Now their alternative school has them singing the blues...and loving it.
SAS math and art teacher Jim Geiszler found a program they can dig. So much so that attendance levels rise everytime the course takes place.
The three week program called Pacific Northwest Blues in the Schools, culminates with a live performance.
" I've put a total of 75 kid on stage, and they all end up with standing ovations," Geiszler said. "It's changed the whole air of the school.
Applause is not what these students are accustomed to, but Blues in the Schools has them standing up and even standing out on stage.
It's enough to keep Geiszler in the teaching game, despite the fact that he's eligible for retirement.
I've been teaching for 38 years, and this is the most compelling thing I've ever seen.
"The thing about it is, I know I'm a factor. That's why I got into education.
Blues in the Schools executive director John "Curley" Cooke, an original member of The Steve Miller Band, instructs the classes and brings with him an entourage of teacher-musicians to help.
His staff includes Al Rowe, winner of the national Jimi Hendrix Guitar Competition: vocalist Annette Taborn, who founded a Blues in the Schools program in Kalamazoo and later worked with International House of Blues Foundation before moving to the Northwest: as well as professional drummer Chris Leighton.
"It's the whole idea of bringing in professional that makes this work." Geiszler said. "It's instant respect and it gives these kids confidence. They know what they're doing is going to turn out well."
The program features an occasional guest artist as well. Blues man Joe Bonamassa, who scheduled to play the Moore theater in Seattle on Sept 22, stopped by last week to show students a few guitar licks.
"She doesn't just talk to them about music." Geiszler said, "She talks to them about being a young women. It's life stuff."
Words about the success of these music programs has begun to spread. Fifteen year old Olivia Montana transferred to SAS from Sky Valley Educational Center in Monroe to participate.
"I was looking for a step up and heard about the music program at this school," she said. "I told my parents that I had to go here." The programs haven't let her down.
"Curley and Annette are amazing." she said. "They give you a sense of support, and you know you can really learn something from them if you're into the program."
Montana said she aspires to sing "down-home, down-south blues" professionally one day.
Some students favor other genres of music. Seventeen year old Holly Prothman sang Sarah McLachlin's "Angel" at the SAS graduation ceremony last year after participating in Geiszler's music program. .
There are peripheral benefits to Geiszler's programs as well. SAS principal Holly Call says that they raise the bar for students and give them a sense of mastery. "In the five years I've been here, WASL scores have gone up about 60 percent," she said. "Blues in the Schools has been here for three of those years."
Running Blues in the Schools with its costs - around $35,000 to provide sessions throughout the year. The district, as well as private donors and organizations like the local Mason and Rotary clubs, pick up most of the bill.
Grants from King County and the Northshore Education Foundation also help, and Geiszler said he is hoping for an additional boost from the state's proposed dropout prevention program.
"I'll keep doing this as long as I have funding," he said. "We don't have a booster clubs or a strong PTA to support us like some other programs."