Welcome to Pop Culture Classroom

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There was an incredible announcement on Day One of Denver Comic Con, one that I think we need to take a moment to discuss because well...it was pretty awesome.  You see, for the last three years, Denver Comic Con has of course benefitted Comic Book Classroom, a fantastic program that teaches kids how to read and write by way of comic books.  

I've seen it in action, and it is effective and worthwhile programming.  Well, yesterday DCC decided to go ahead and up their game and make the program all that much more inclusive and powerful by introducing the new name and direction for the curriculum...Pop Culture Classroom.  

I have to say it's a move that I totally love and if you weren't present for the opening ceremonies last night, it's time to fill you in.  See, the folks at Pop Culture Classroom came to a realization, that there was more than one way to reach a student. There's nothing wrong with using comic books, in fact I'm sure the curriculum will continue to make use of those incredible stories, but let's be honest.  Not all of us connect with comic books.  I do, because my dad put one in my hand when I was in grade school, but different mediums have different effects upon us. 

Take a moment and think about it.  We go to conventions for different reasons.  Some of us could care less that comic greats are roaming the halls of the Colorado Convention Center. Those folks might be there for one of the big names. They are dying to see William Shatner or Bruce Campbell.  Or perhaps cosplay is their passion, and they are here for the epic costumes and a panel or two on making your own cosplay.  

The bottom line, we are all inspired in different ways, and that is what Pop Culture Classroom is out to accomplish.  For those kids who connect better with film or video games, then the new curriculum will cater to their passions. It is in many ways, boundless teaching and it will reach so many students.  I found it to be a wonderful gift from Denver Comic Con and I look forward to hearing more about how this new curriculum will work and if I'm lucky, hopefully see this incredible evolution of teaching first hand.  

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