Aside from failing to teach subjects other than music, he taught kids it was okay to lie in order to get what you want (when they faked being terminally sick to get into the contest). He made them keep secrets from their parents, and deceive their principal. This is not something a teacher should be having his kids do.
Dewey was a good music teacher. I will give him that. He taught passion, something that a lot of average teachers cannot do. (A passionate math teacher might struggle to teach students to be passionate about learning math). He looked at each students' strengths and used them to create a band--a team. Each student had a responsibility, and it became a fun interactive experience. They were all motivated to reach the Battle of the Bands and be the best they could be.
If Dewey were a real teacher--in the sense that he wasn't committing fraud--I think he could apply his teaching to other subjects. He seems young and hip (did I really just say that?) enough to know what interests the students. In terms of math he could come up with a band fund and help students handle accounting.
As a Language Arts lesson they could all write a song.
If he wanted a really cool stage show, with special effects, maybe he could apply some sort of chemical reaction.
I am honestly having a hard time coming up with ways he can apply his methods outside of the band situation. He is a good motivator, and a good teacher in the music context. However, in reality, he wasn't going to be the best thing for the students in terms of a complete education. Maybe it's backwards of me to think so; maybe I'm trapped inside the box.
Madeline
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