Denny International Middle School’s latest ‘inspirational’ video

Remember “Teach Me How to Study,” which brought a round of regional fame to the staff of West Seattle’s own Denny International Middle School? As principal Jeff Clark pointed out at the time, it wasn’t the Denny staff’s first inspirational video and it wouldn’t be their last. And in fact, the inbox has just yielded the link to their latest one – “The Test Goes On,” which the principal explains this way:

Denny International Middle School staff and volunteers made this video as a way to continue to inspire our students to achieve greatness academically. We have the best students in the city-it is fun to connect with them in this way. A special thank you to Gary Lai, Will Braden, Chanda E. Oatis, Artise Burton, Kristina Bellamy-McClain, Erin Jolley, Herman Garcia, Roxana Amaral, and Theila, Roberto, Trish, Andy, and Natalie from City Year.

Go Dolphins!

Don’t miss the West Seattle neighborhood shoutouts in the second half! (P.S. The previous video “Teach Me How to Study” is past 28,000 views on YouTube.)

Flying Fingers May 9, 2011 (7:14 pm)

Wonderful! Admire their work, love their messages.

Any chance that captions could be added?

Karrie Kohlhaas May 10, 2011 (1:11 am)

I love this! Bravo to Denny Int’l Middle School staff and volunteers for putting this together. I wish my middle school teachers had been this cool.

Dean May 10, 2011 (6:07 pm)

“I got you in my thoughts G” c’mon! Why are teachers encouraging this kind of stuff? All it’s doing is reinforcing bad behavior. The rest of the rap is ok I guess.

DBurns May 10, 2011 (7:54 pm)

Let me first say that I’m totally biased here – I love this entire staff and school and it has been a fantastic place for my kids to be educated – so I have to ask exactly what do you mean, Dean, about “encouraging this kind of stuff” ? What kind of stuff? Casual, informal, relating to kids? Have you been in a middle school lately? This staff really reaches these kids – they make an effort to make Denny a place where kids feel comfortable and WANT TO BE, which turns into kids who GO TO SCHOOL. I’d say they are a HUGE success and these videos alone show their compassion, energy and love for these kids and I encourage anyone to walk the halls at Denny and feel the caring atmosphere – but at the end of the day it is MIDDLE SCHOOL – it’s a difficult crowd and Denny makes the best of it!
Thanks for another incredible video to entertain us! You guys are amazing!

Dean May 11, 2011 (6:02 pm)

Hi DBurns, I guess I’m biased too after working 35 years in
Seattle Public Schools and of those for 8 years in a rather tough middle school. I just think that by flashing fake ‘gang’ signs and referring to students as g’s that we are going backwards in trying to get these students to learn. I know this is 2011, but it is just my opinion that the District would be better off getting away from such a climate.

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