The school I teach at has shut down the library for the last seven weeks of the year for standardized testing. I think of this video daily when I look at the closed sign.
Met him at a conference and heard this performed along with several other of his poems, and loved the passion he exudes in his poetry. Super nice, intelligent, down to earth guy. This is a favorite!
"With all due respect, I don't think you actually DO understand my "frustration" or else you would not have used that word. You see I am not, in fact, frustrated. The correct word would be OUTRAGED." Favorite line of the whole poem. Well done, Taylor.
The most amazing, articulate individual I have ever come across. As a teacher I cannot express the depth of truth behind his words. Wonderful, something all teachers, students and future teachers should hear.
This, and I mean almost exactly this, happened to me today. My teacher booked a conference room for several of us to use to practice presentations. Administrators were in there and they refused to leave because they "weren't quite finished" and "didn't want to move." So we got shoved in a different, much less convenient room. After one of the kids pointed out to the librarian that schools are for the benefit of the students, we went back to our class and told our teacher. He showed us this.
I, as a young librarian, actually said no to an administrator and watched him melt down at me for having the audacity of wanting the library available for people who had work to do there. I finally told him that even my parents never spoke to me as rudely as he was doing. He shut up and left. He never asked for something like that again. I wasn't fired....although I spent a few hours wondering whether I would be. Thanks for all who keep libraries open for learning.
I LOVE this poem. So far, I haven't had to defend keeping my school library open to the students, instead of closed for a meeting. . . . but if I do. . . I'm probably going to play this for whatever crazy person tries to close it.
I was fortunate to have mostly passionate English teachers who really gave me a love of writing. My grade 12 music teacher was also very passionate and is still a good friend to this day.
i love that cristin o'keefe aptowicz just happens to be concluding the act. because, you know, she's got nothing better to do?? and by "she's got nothing better to do," i mean "i kneel at your feet, unworthy, in awe of your most splendorous works, my lady, my goddess, my shining, jiggling queen."
My comments do not describe my own situation -- I love my colleagues and my "bosses" -- but many teachers would be PETRIFIED to even consider WRITING, much less publicly PERFORMING, pieces like this. But I will promise you: many of them would like to. And they would slay, just like Taylor Mali did here. Unfortunately, there are too many districts in which free exchange of ideas is stifled, bureaucracy trumps reason, and adversarial relations between "staff" and "management" keeps topics in people's heads, or in hushed tones in the staff room, or in the parking lot. Facilities management -- we're seeing that all over the SW with 100 degree classrooms -- or non-existent supplies, or technology promises from the district that are MADE but not KEPT.... the list goes on. There are a LOT of teachers like Taylor. I know several. They are smart, passionate, and fierce. I'm lucky, because in my district (a little town in Oregon) we are encouraged to talk and share and gripe and question and dream. Sadly... that doesn't happen everywhere.
Love to hear his thoughts on the instruction received during the pandemic and the very significant fall in test scores (while they’re not the only measurement of education, they are a major measurement of it).
2:40 i do no care if the library is the only place in the school big enough to accomidate your meeting, it's also the only place in the school WITH BOOKS!!! thats my favorite part :D
This is a shame because the library is no longer a place of card catalogs (electronic or paper) and books. This day in age, the library has been replaced with an iPad and a small "study room". I still like having 10 books spread on a table over 1 search box and a list of 10 highest-matching paragraphs.
Complete agreement as a student of a school that I'm pretty sure doesn't know how to use it's resources well enough. I know how it feels to not be able to find a computer for an in class project. I had to search 20 minutes around the building not only for a working computer, but for a computer that should have BEEN IN THAT CLASS ROOM. You would think a cart of laptops would have enough for a full class room but apparently not. Apparently that's ridiculous to think I deserve my in class laptop.
"I do not care if the library is the only place in the school big enough to accommodate your meeting. It's also the only place in the school WITH BOOKS. >:[" That kind of made my day. Thank you, Mr. Mali! Wouldn't it have just been smarter to schedule his meeting AFTER school? Everyone could be happy.
@hazelgreenxoxo I could see what you mean, how he seems kind of full of himself, but at the end of the day it's the words, not the person, that you're listening to, and Taylor's got some great and wise words to share.
Favorite line: I would be the first to apologize for "editorializing through your secretary" if I thought that the statement "academic instruction" takes precedence over administrative meetings were a matter of opinion and not, in fact, a matter of fact, and not one I thought I would have to explain TO THE DEAN OF INSTRUCTION.
Anybody else a little scared of this guy? Who wants to bet he's one of those teachers who doesn't have to ASK the kids to sit down and be quiet? Just. WOW. We need more teachers who really care about their kids.
I just got an email informing me that after spending millions of dollars on technology, the district could no longer afford $3200 to utilize that technology. I thought of this video.
Taylor Mali is one of my favorite poets. This is one of my favorite poems of his. ❤
"It's also the only place in the school WITH BOOKS!"
The school I teach at has shut down the library for the last seven weeks of the year for standardized testing.
I think of this video daily when I look at the closed sign.
Met him at a conference and heard this performed along with several other of his poems, and loved the passion he exudes in his poetry. Super nice, intelligent, down to earth guy. This is a favorite!
"With all due respect, I don't think you actually DO understand my "frustration" or else you would not have used that word. You see I am not, in fact, frustrated. The correct word would be OUTRAGED."
Favorite line of the whole poem. Well done, Taylor.
The most amazing, articulate individual I have ever come across. As a teacher I cannot express the depth of truth behind his words. Wonderful, something all teachers, students and future teachers should hear.
This, and I mean almost exactly this, happened to me today. My teacher booked a conference room for several of us to use to practice presentations. Administrators were in there and they refused to leave because they "weren't quite finished" and "didn't want to move."
So we got shoved in a different, much less convenient room. After one of the kids pointed out to the librarian that schools are for the benefit of the students, we went back to our class and told our teacher. He showed us this.
This is so awesome because I love passionate teachers, books, and libraries, and I'm a third degree black belt! (Huah!)
I, as a young librarian, actually said no to an administrator and watched him melt down at me for having the audacity of wanting the library available for people who had work to do there. I finally told him that even my parents never spoke to me as rudely as he was doing. He shut up and left. He never asked for something like that again. I wasn't fired....although I spent a few hours wondering whether I would be.
Thanks for all who keep libraries open for learning.
I LOVE this poem. So far, I haven't had to defend keeping my school library open to the students, instead of closed for a meeting. . . . but if I do. . . I'm probably going to play this for whatever crazy person tries to close it.
I was fortunate to have mostly passionate English teachers who really gave me a love of writing.
My grade 12 music teacher was also very passionate and is still a good friend to this day.
i love that cristin o'keefe aptowicz just happens to be concluding the act. because, you know, she's got nothing better to do?? and by "she's got nothing better to do," i mean "i kneel at your feet, unworthy, in awe of your most splendorous works, my lady, my goddess, my shining, jiggling queen."
I love it when teachers speak truth to ignorance. You rock, Mr. Mali.
this man is a genius.
I am in awe! Complete and total awe. Well done sir!
The public school system NEEDS more teachers like this, desperately.
My comments do not describe my own situation -- I love my colleagues and my "bosses" -- but many teachers would be PETRIFIED to even consider WRITING, much less publicly PERFORMING, pieces like this.
But I will promise you: many of them would like to. And they would slay, just like Taylor Mali did here. Unfortunately, there are too many districts in which free exchange of ideas is stifled, bureaucracy trumps reason, and adversarial relations between "staff" and "management" keeps topics in people's heads, or in hushed tones in the staff room, or in the parking lot. Facilities management -- we're seeing that all over the SW with 100 degree classrooms -- or non-existent supplies, or technology promises from the district that are MADE but not KEPT.... the list goes on.
There are a LOT of teachers like Taylor. I know several. They are smart, passionate, and fierce. I'm lucky, because in my district (a little town in Oregon) we are encouraged to talk and share and gripe and question and dream. Sadly... that doesn't happen everywhere.
I'm glad there are still people in the world passionate about their jobs. Really, you make me consider education as a career.
Eight years since I first saw this... still golden.
This is my rock and roll and Mali is my favorite rock star *.*
Absolutely fantastic.
I like the hostility, reminds me of chris Farley quite a bit. Great poem and delivery
I need more Taylor Mali videos. This man inspires the shit out of me.
Always loved Taylor Mali's performances
Beautiful
You have made my life better for years
i love everything he does!
No poem has made me keel with laughter, this is great!
I feel like this video deserves way more attention than it has gotten. This is one of the funniest things I have ever heard.
Makes me want to rush over to a library and start reading... WITH BOOKS
I want to be able to punch the like button at least a dozen times while he speaks. Like. Like .Like
"i will not reschedule any of my classes' library periods for any administrative meeting" ...thats goddamn right!!!
Dr. Joseph D'Angelo is one hardcore badass of the education system. I must applaud.
brilliant. love this man.
Just saw him for an hour long reading about half an hour ago and It was one of the best events I have been to all year
This is actually my life. Every. Day. Thank you for helping me see the humor. hahaha!
"...is so obtuse that i am incapable of appreciating the irony in it!!!"
LOL
this is my favorite poem of yours, mr. mali!
Too few teachers in this world are as passionate as this man.
My favorite spoken word poem like ever
Fantastic.
Absolutely loved it. =]
100% true. The spirit of this is how all people should live life.
I love it!
I hope to be a teacher like this one day
Yes! I love this! Fight for your library!
AWESOME!
Love to hear his thoughts on the instruction received during the pandemic and the very significant fall in test scores (while they’re not the only measurement of education, they are a major measurement of it).
2:40 i do no care if the library is the only place in the school big enough to accomidate your meeting, it's also the only place in the school WITH BOOKS!!!
thats my favorite part :D
This is a shame because the library is no longer a place of card catalogs (electronic or paper) and books. This day in age, the library has been replaced with an iPad and a small "study room". I still like having 10 books spread on a table over 1 search box and a list of 10 highest-matching paragraphs.
I can totally picture my English teacher doing this! Had to share this video with her.
exactly. And ya gotta love Mali's delivery..
Word differentiation is so very important.
might I ask why you dislike him so greatly? I feel that he is brilliant in conveying the messages behind his selections of reading.
With books!
Love!
Keep in mind that this poem is from the point of view of Mali's 5th/6th grade teacher, not Mali himself. :)
I get to see him in a few days 3
I almost died when he said, "The only room in the school... WITH BOOKS!"
Blessed BE!!!
Complete agreement as a student of a school that I'm pretty sure doesn't know how to use it's resources well enough. I know how it feels to not be able to find a computer for an in class project. I had to search 20 minutes around the building not only for a working computer, but for a computer that should have BEEN IN THAT CLASS ROOM. You would think a cart of laptops would have enough for a full class room but apparently not. Apparently that's ridiculous to think I deserve my in class laptop.
Amen to that!! How many ludicrous situations I have seen totally butchered by bureaucratic idiocy! The stories I could tell, had I the skill of Mali.
Damn, the oratory skills are noice
"I do not care if the library is the only place in the school big enough to accommodate your meeting. It's also the only place in the school WITH BOOKS. >:["
That kind of made my day. Thank you, Mr. Mali! Wouldn't it have just been smarter to schedule his meeting AFTER school? Everyone could be happy.
@hazelgreenxoxo I could see what you mean, how he seems kind of full of himself, but at the end of the day it's the words, not the person, that you're listening to, and Taylor's got some great and wise words to share.
That was hilarious!! So good!
Cool
to funny once he say's "...its the only place WITH BOOKS!!" lmao love this guys
I almost spit out my pepsi laughing so hard at this poem. Fantastic.
LOL that was a great piece of writing!!!!!!
...it is also the place in the school WITH BOOKS! Best line ever Period.
Favorite line: I would be the first to apologize for "editorializing through your secretary" if I thought that the statement "academic instruction" takes precedence over administrative meetings were a matter of opinion and not, in fact, a matter of fact, and not one I thought I would have to explain TO THE DEAN OF INSTRUCTION.
Wow-- I wish there were more people like that in the public school system...
FUCKING CALLED IT
knew he was a "karate guy"
perhaps the king of karate island itself
I know this is the least inspiring and poetic of all of his stuff but it's my favorite lol it's so unexpected and really fun to listen to!
Funniest spoken word I have ever seen omg I honestly laughed so hard when I first heard it. :P
Smokin'!
Anybody else a little scared of this guy? Who wants to bet he's one of those teachers who doesn't have to ASK the kids to sit down and be quiet? Just. WOW. We need more teachers who really care about their kids.
7 people are Dr. Richard Blackstone, Dean of Instruction
AMEN
the 10 dislikes are kids who dont like the library
Dr. D'Angelo was this man's teacher in 5th and 6th grade.
Do you know who he remind me of? Guess..... INCONCEIVABLE!!
That would be a pretty awsome kiai. "Books!!"
I kinda wish I had this guy as my 5th grade teacher.
Thank you for the subscription wow thank you🎉🎉🎉❤❤
that makes sense
@Lehmann108
the poem or him? lol.
Wait, this was a poem?
I thought it was just sheer concentrated badass...
I want to be an english teacher because of him
Where's the audio? The levels are so low I can't understand but every few words.
my school uses the libary for meetings to, its SO MESST UP.
we dont have a library, just classroom books and like 10 books in the hallway on the top floor...
@SpykerC8Lav Yup, since we know now that the classrooms are devoid of them due to book bans and lack of funding.
oooooooooh SNAP!
I totally wish you had been my teacher.
Holy crap... this made me laugh so hard
@NJAR31298 gravitas. it means seriousness/importance
I just got an email informing me that after spending millions of dollars on technology, the district could no longer afford $3200 to utilize that technology. I thought of this video.
2:41 to 2:50 has to be the funniest part. I laugh just thinking about it. :)
epic teacher.