Teachers and the Arena DJ Experience

In DJ Stuff, Party Machine Celebrities! by djscottshirley

Teacher and Staff Convocation for Fort Worth Schools

It wasn’t the first time I had been the DJ in a huge arena setting; in fact, I have done this on many occasions through the years. This was my 3rd year to DJ for the FWISD Teacher Convocation.

I wheeled in a dolly with just enough gear for a table-top DJ booth, and plugged in to the central A/V system for the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center. I opened the microphone, and tested with a hearty “Hello!”

A full three seconds later, we heard the responding “HELLOOOO!” Ah, yes, the arena sound experience! Nothing quite like playing for a group of 3,000 friends!

Annual gathering of 3,000 good friends in the Fort Worth School District.

My job is to entertain the teachers and staff from ALL the Fort Worth public schools for the hour before the program begins. Schools are seated by section, with everyone wearing their school colors and sporting signs and banners. Many also have props and noisemakers.

We keep the energy level high with crowd-pleaser songs, and get everyone up and dancing in the aisles. Cheerleaders and mascots from area schools jump in to ensure vigorous participation. We encourage healthy competition between the schools, and they respond with loud enthusiasm. The theme this year was “Believe,” and schools would be asked, “Do You Believe?” and the response was thunderous. After the morning session concludes for the Elementary Schools, we do the whole thing over again in the afternoon for the Secondary Schools.

Fort Worth Teachers bring it on!

I introduce the program speakers, and they start with introductions and awards for the highest-achieving and most improved schools. This year I was particularly impressed with the keynote speaker, Dr. Pedro Noguera from NYU. I liked his thoughts on education so much, that I bought his book, City Schools and the American Dream, and had him sign it for me.

DJ Scott and Dr. Pedro Noguera

I am a BIG believer in quality public education for all people, and the Fort Worth ISD under Superintendent Melody Johnson is working to become the best urban school system in America. I believe they have the people and the resources to actually do it. I believe in our teachers. I believe in our students.

I BELIEVE!

NOTE: At PM Celebrations, we believe in our school system enough to support it. Each year we donate a FREE school dance to the school with the most successful United Way campaign, and we also offer discounted rates and free add-ons for all FWISD groups!