Connecting With Kids Through Classroom Karaoke
Principal Herbert Espiritu sings karaoke for the advanced drama class to bond with students online.
By Tyler Lilly
Principal Herbert Espiritu sings karaoke for the advanced drama class to bond with students online.
By Tyler Lilly
Throughout this pandemic, teachers and staff have been having a harder time connecting to students though virtual learning.
However, Principal Herb Espiritu is trying to change that through “Espiritunes,” where he sings a karaoke song from the ‘50s to the ‘80s for the advanced drama class every Friday. He also occasionally brings in guests such as receptionist Marissa Bacon or Assistant Principal of Discipline Tim Gavello.
Music has been a part of Espiritu’s life since he was a kid, so he began doing Espiritunes every week to participate in a class since he can’t physically visit them. He hopes that this will help him connect with students despite the online barrier and would like to continue this in the future and with other classes.
“I have a lot of time in my office not having to walk to physical classrooms to visit classrooms and also I’m not having to supervise lunch and brunch. As I was stopping into classrooms I’d tend to participate cause it’s something I can participate in,” said Espiritu. “I would like to encourage any class or any programs to have a space for me to participate with kids and be involved.”
Thomas Jordan, 10, enjoys Espiritunes and feels that this has really helped Espiritu feel more approachable and also lightens the mood of the class in general.
“Espiritunes is the highlight of everyone’s week. That’s when Mr. Espiritu sings to the advanced drama class, usually every Friday. It’s always hilarious. He sang Jersey Boys one day, it’s beautiful and it is the funniest thing in the world,” Jordan said.
Kolby Bauman, 10, also likes Espiritu’s performances, but feels that he can improve his performances through certain adjustments.
“Oh my gosh, Espirtunes is so fun,” said Bauman. “His singing makes my day so much. He may have an angelic voice, but he has some stuff to work on technically, although he has lots of potential.”
However, Principal Herb Espiritu is trying to change that through “Espiritunes,” where he sings a karaoke song from the ‘50s to the ‘80s for the advanced drama class every Friday. He also occasionally brings in guests such as receptionist Marissa Bacon or Assistant Principal of Discipline Tim Gavello.
Music has been a part of Espiritu’s life since he was a kid, so he began doing Espiritunes every week to participate in a class since he can’t physically visit them. He hopes that this will help him connect with students despite the online barrier and would like to continue this in the future and with other classes.
“I have a lot of time in my office not having to walk to physical classrooms to visit classrooms and also I’m not having to supervise lunch and brunch. As I was stopping into classrooms I’d tend to participate cause it’s something I can participate in,” said Espiritu. “I would like to encourage any class or any programs to have a space for me to participate with kids and be involved.”
Thomas Jordan, 10, enjoys Espiritunes and feels that this has really helped Espiritu feel more approachable and also lightens the mood of the class in general.
“Espiritunes is the highlight of everyone’s week. That’s when Mr. Espiritu sings to the advanced drama class, usually every Friday. It’s always hilarious. He sang Jersey Boys one day, it’s beautiful and it is the funniest thing in the world,” Jordan said.
Kolby Bauman, 10, also likes Espiritu’s performances, but feels that he can improve his performances through certain adjustments.
“Oh my gosh, Espirtunes is so fun,” said Bauman. “His singing makes my day so much. He may have an angelic voice, but he has some stuff to work on technically, although he has lots of potential.”