Arlicia McClain Harmonious Blend of Literature and Jazz


In a vibrant eighth-grade classroom on Chicago's North Side, English teacher Arlicia Ketchum-McClain is revolutionizing education with her exciting "Jazz & Literature" program! Since 2020, she has skillfully intertwined jazz rhythms with literary beauty, immersing her students in the enchanting works of Coltrane, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis while they write, read, and analyze various stories and poems. This lively combination not only deepens their comprehension of poetry and prose but also cultivates an inspiring, energetic learning atmosphere that even gets the principal buzzing with enthusiasm! Guided by her uplifting mantra, "Words, action, activate joy!" Ms. McClain is nurturing a new generation of jazz enthusiasts and literary lovers, igniting a passion for both art forms that will resonate for years to come!