New York City Public Schools and TeachRock Partner for Music Inspired Learning Opportunities

New York, NY -- Today New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) launched an official partnership with TeachRock, a national nonprofit helping students discover joy, meaning, and a sense of purpose by bringing core curriculum to life through music and culture. As part of this partnership, NYCPS and TeachRock will offer a one-of-a-kind Music Play Professional Learning Tour, with sessions rooted in the musical influence of diverse cultural groups.

"This partnership with TeachRock celebrates the educators who make our schools extraordinary," said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. "When we invest in our teachers, we invest in our students, and this partnership does just that through a dynamic learning series weaving together music, history, and culture. At NYCPS, we're empowering our teachers to grow, connect, and innovate, and build a stronger and more vibrant learning community."

This partnership kicked off with a professional learning day at Brooklyn Bowl, dedicated to the Grateful Dead. As part of the event, attendees explored how the music, history, and cultural impact of the Dead can become powerful tools for instruction across classroom disciplines. The session, which is part of the 'Rock and Roll Classroom' professional development program for the 2025-2026 school year, uses music as a primary source for pedagogy, U.S. history topics, and teaching about people with disabilities throughout history.

"I want TeachRock to transport kids to a better place than their present reality, so they can experience the revelation of life's endless possibilities through music," said Stevie Van Zandt, musician, actor, producer, activist, and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. "We want students' education to be marked by a sense of adventure and discovery, limited only by their own imaginations. We're excited to bring that to life here through this series of free professional learning days with New York City Public Schools - the nation's largest school district."

This dynamic and inspiring day is the first in a series. The second will center on The Sound of the Harlem Renaissance, then Hidden Voices: Latines in US History as the basis of the third session, followed by Jewish Americans in Popular Music, and ending with Reggae: Music of Diaspora and Decolonization. By linking music and storytelling to academic content, these sessions will not only enhance instruction but highlight the city's deep cultural diversity and the power of creative expression in the classroom. Participants will have an opportunity to learn while visiting some of the most prominent cultural venues in New York City, including Brooklyn Bowl, The New York Historical, MCNY, Center for Jewish History, and the Cutting Room.

"There is so much social studies lurking in American popular music, and we're thrilled to help New York City Public Schools teachers bring their classrooms to life through it!" said Bill Carbone, TeachRock Executive Director. "At this first workshop, we'll dive into the Grateful Dead's story and invite students to explore American history made by people who dared to do things differently. That's history that sticks - and hopefully it inspires students to see themselves as people who can reimagine what's possible in the world too."

"TeachRock helps me do something that is intellectually rigorous, and at the same time, it's something that kids get very excited about. So, that's a win-win," added Ben Wides, teacher at East Side Community High.

"Learning is a road, not a simple highway," said Michael Cahayla, social studies teacher, Mott Hall Bronx High School. "My students travel on it at their own pace and face unique obstacles, potholes, and detours along the way. Listening to music is an amazingly effective way to provide another pathway for students who may be confused. Incorporating pop music into instruction increases my students' access, sparks creativity, and fosters critical thinking. Professional developments like this ensure my students are exposed to primary sources that go beyond printed words and images, and encourage me to leverage lyrics, tone, and musicality to help them gain a fuller, more meaningful understanding of the past."

This collaboration builds on NYCPS' broader commitment to enriching social studies education through innovative, culturally responsive approaches. It complements initiatives like Hidden Voices and Civics for All which center diverse perspectives and lived experiences in classroom instruction. By weaving music and culture into professional learning, this further supports educators in helping students see themselves - and one another - in the story of America.

About TeachRock:

Launched by Stevie Van Zandt with the Founders Board of Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Springsteen, Teachrock.org has provided free, standards-aligned resources to help teachers, students, and families succeed for more than a decade. TeachRock has partnered with NYC Public Schools providing support for the development of materials for the Hidden Voices Project. More than 80,000 educators representing over 30,000 schools in all 50 U.S. states, England, Spain, Norway and elsewhere are registered with Teachrock.org.

Contact: Chancellor's Press Office [email protected]