Our Story

When the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically shifted education from traditional in-person instruction to remote learning, it created significant challenges. For Teacher Shantel, whose teaching philosophy was deeply rooted in personal, face-to-face interactions with students and colleagues, adapting to a fully virtual model was initially difficult and overwhelming.

As remote learning made it harder to keep students engaged and thinking critically, Teacher Shantel sought new ways to make learning meaningful during this challenging time. She turned to one of her greatest inspirations, poet Langston Hughes, and developed a poetry unit centered on his work. This experience sparked a shift in her teaching approach and perspective.

A defining moment came during a lesson on Hughes’ “April Rain Song.” Although she initially declined to sing, Teacher Shantel eventually combined her talents as a vocal artist and educator by setting the poem to melody and sharing it with her students. That vulnerable act inspired all her students to turn on their cameras, creating a powerful space of connection and engagement.

This special experience revealed a profound synergy between Teacher Shantel’s roles as a jazz vocalist and educator. Both jazz and teaching require trust, spontaneity, and the ability to adapt quickly to verbal and nonverbal cues. They both call for bringing one’s whole self into each moment, especially in dynamic and unpredictable environments.

Inspired by these insights, Teacher Shantel founded Jazz and Blackboards Enterprises—a multimedia platform dedicated to building community inside and beyond the classroom. Through original music, literature, educational resources, live performances, and innovative programs, we aim to connect music, storytelling, and education in ways that enrich lives and foster genuine engagement.