Listening to Mr. Solomon’s lecture on skype was very interesting.  I have never done something like this in any other class at Iona while I have been here.  Since I knew nothing about the topic at hand I was very intrigued on what he had to say.  Some stuff I did not understand at first until he went into further detail and examples.  Hip hop was always just a type of music to me.  When Mr. Solomon explained it as a culture that grabbed my attention and made me think outside the box. (Student at Iona College)

I was pleasantly surprised with the skype experience with Mr. Solomon. At first, I was worried that I was not going to feel the engagement in learning with Mr. Solomon because he was not standing right in front of me, but I completely did. He engaged the classroom even from behind a computer, he was able to connect and share his thoughts and opinions with each and every one of us.

(Student at Iona College)


Mr. Solomon Commisiong’s discussion definitely made me more aware of the ways to implement Hip Hop into an educational setting and specifically my history classroom.  Political platforms from such groups as NWA and KRS-One during the late 1980’s and 1990’s in the United States.  It encompasses the social, cultural, economical, and political landscapes of the time period.  It helps represent a type of music, which is often today attached with so many negative views, as what is truly is, a unique and artistic form of expression. (Student at Iona College)

Last week’s class on Mr. Solomon ‘s discussion on culturally
responsive pedagogy, hip hop and digital literacy was very enlighten
and presented a new way to educate the youth into today’s society. Mr.
Solomon spoke about how important it is to keep to attention of every
student, and encourage to make our lessons more meaningful as well as
engage for children. The one thing I took away from the seminar was
when Mr. Solomon stated that he doesn’t believe in “dumbing” things
down for children, whether it is a lessons or vocabulary. I completely
agree with that statement in that I had a similar situation at the
school that I am currently teaching. My co-operating
teacher told me it was very important to give eighth grade students a
breakdown of definitions, more like children definitions when I
explain things. I feel that it is a misconception, and that children
need to learn, not have teachers break every thing down for them, so I
definitely related to what Mr. Solomon was preaching. (Student at Iona College)

 I personally found Mr. Solomon Commisiong’s discussion on culturally responsive pedagogy, hip hop and digital literacies to be extremely engaging and highly intellectual. I thought the questions which he asked my classmates and myself really challenged us to think on a higher level about a topic that we possessed almost no information on. Learning about new things has always fascinated me and this experience was no exception. I never knew that hip-hop was defined as a culture; I always thought it was a type of music. Based on the experience I had with Mr. Solomon, I honestly feel better equipped to tackle the ever changing field of education. (Student at Iona College)

******

We invited Professor Solomon Comissiong to our campus based on the recommendations of students who had seen him present at a workshop and raved about him. We were not disappointed! Professor Comissiong delivered three provocative, challenging, and inspiring workshops for us on Hip Hop, Leadership and Activism, and a session for faculty about engaging students through their specific interests, such as Hip Hop or social media. Professor Comissiong was passionate, knowledgeable, inspiring and professional in all his presentations. The students still talk about his visit to campus and several have maintained communication with him in subsequent months. He is a devoted advocate for students, for social justice, and for access to higher education for all, and we were honored to have him here at South Puget Sound Community College!

–Eileen Yoshina, Director of Diversity and Equity

South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA

August, 2012