While many educators continue to seek effective teaching methods for inner-city students, one educator has established a national reputation for transforming students who claim, “I can’t write,” into accomplished writers. He achieves this through the use of rap. Erik Cork, a local educator and writer, frequently travels nationwide to demonstrate to other educators how to integrate rap, rhythm, and rhyme into the curriculum.

“Things which appeal to the youth of today have forced us to change the way we teach, and the manner in which we introduce lessons to children and teenagers,” explained Cork. “When our parents were growing up, the three places where learning happened were home, school and the church. Today, however, those places must compete with, and are often overwhelmed by, TV, rap, and the deluge of social media peer pressure. So, in terms of teaching styles, we must recognize and come to terms with the fact that students of today have a background and learning style which is completely different than what ‘old school’ teachers may be ordinarily accustomed to.”

“When children are at home doing homework, what are they listening to?” Cork asked. “It’s rap. When they’re on the phone, what are they listening to? Rap. When they’re riding in the car, what are they listening to? Rap, no doubt. I grew up on rap music, so it was not a stretch for me, nor for my students, to bring it into the classroom. I merged my instructional targets into the beat. Not surprisingly, the learning process became exciting, highly effective, and enjoyable.”

“If your students are not learning the way you teach, you need to teach the way they learn.”

This approach has demonstrated measurable success. At a Houston school where Cork conducted three days of writing workshops for students and teachers, only 60 percent of students had previously met the minimum expectations on the Texas Assessment of Academics (TAAS). The following year, after implementing Cork’s writing strategies, 100 percent of students at the same school passed the writing test. The school was subsequently designated as an exemplary campus in the Houston Independent School District. Notably, 84 percent of students scored significantly above the state average.

Cork seeks to identify and address the specific needs of his students, aiming to provide what they may be lacking. “In order to bring students where they need to be, you have to focus on the key word, which is ‘bring,’” explained Cork. “You have to say more than just ‘come on.’ You have to create an inertia of enthusiasm in students and allow their natural abilities to flourish in the classroom. We should celebrate and embrace each student’s creativity and inventiveness, especially when it is a mutually beneficial situation for students, teachers, and parents.”

“Energetic and engaging. Remarkably relevant. Inspiring and Knowedgeable content … these are just a few words that describe the Rap, Rhythm & Rhyme: Rebuilding the Writing Foundation Workshop created by Mr. Erik Cork, who is often called, ‘The Hardest Working Man in Education.’ He has presented this workshop to tens of thousands of students, teachers and parents throughout the U.S.”, said Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden (Retired), Assoc. Professor of Education - Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction, Texas Southern University.

“I build on the natural skills most students already possess,” explained Cork. “We need to respect their dreams before outside influences take away their motivation. We would all be wise to remember this: If your students are not learning the way you teach, you need to teach the way they learn.”

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