Teacher Uses Morgan Wallen To Teach Math

Ask just about any kid growing up what his or her least favorite subject in school is and they will immediately throw out one word:  math.  That being said, I think a lot of this has to do with teaching.  No, I'm not blaming teachers, it's just that it's hard to make math fun.  And we all know that anything is easier to learn if the method being taught involves fun to the point of "you don't realize you're learning."

Which leads me to third grade teacher Faith McPeek.  Her TikTok is chock full of videos where she makes learning fun.  The latest example?  How about using Morgan Wallen to teach kids to count by nine?  This is genius.  McPeek takes the song, "Last Night" and uses it as a mnemonic to help her kids figure out how to count by nine.

"Last night we learned to count by 9's.
9, 18, 27, 36, and 45.
You told me 54 and 63 were coming back.
But 72 and 81, and 90 were all that's left.
No way I'll forget my 9's." 

Where were teachers like Faith McPeek when I was in third grade?  I'm not sure any of my teachers even knew what a radio was, much less would have come up with a way for me to learn while listening to someone like Morgan Wallen.  Too cool and the video has more than 26 million views so far.  You know what that tells me?  Other teachers are watching this...and learning.

And if THAT makes teaching/learning more fun, then I'm all in.

Morgan Wallen spent the majority of his childhood playing baseball. Through that love of sports, he founded the Morgan Wallen Foundation in 2021, which, according to the website, is "based on the importance of sports and music opportunities for youth and the value of community service." Wallen has given back many times since he founded his foundation.

The website explained, 'Through baseball,Morgan learned about teamwork, commitment, hard work, and drive. These values have been critical to his success as a country artist. Music was a sense of joy – from singing with his sisters in church to playing the violin – music allowed Morgan to cultivate his artistic creativity. His parents saw the importance of these activities and found a way to create access for their kids. It wasn’t always easy, but they made it a priority."

After his latest donation to Nashville area youth baseball, Morgan said, "I started the Morgan Wallen Foundation to support youth in two areas - sports and music. When I heard about Parkwood, right here in Nashville, I knew I wanted to help. Every child deserves a chance to play ball and be part of a team, and I truly appreciate this opportunity to be part of Parkwood's next inning. I can't wait to come back out here and see the park once it has been renovated."

Over the course of just two years, the foundation has donated millions of dollars; it began with a donation in his hometown of Sneedville, Tennessee, and has spread across the country. MWF has donated funds to rehabilitate sports facilities, baseball fields, sports equipment, music programs, and instruments.

On Wallen's  2022 "Dangerous Tour," MWF supplied 500,000 meals across tour stops to help combat food insecurity during natural disasters in the US.

We take a look at the country superstar's kindness with four donations he has made since his foundation began.

Photo - Leila Grossman

Wallen, along with Major League Baseball and the  MLB Players Association Youth Development Foundation (MLB-MLBPA YDF) and other local funders, has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville to lead the community revitalization of the historic Black baseball and softball complex, Parkwood Community Club, in north Nashville. MLB-MLBPA YDF and Morgan Wallen Foundation have joined forces to donate $500k each, totaling $1 million invested in the project.

Photo - David Lear

During Morgan's "One Night At A Time World Tour" he played two back-to-back nights at Chicago's Wrigley Field; he celebrated the final night (June 23) at the home of the Chicago Cubs backstage with students from the nearby Baker and Bowen High Schools. He presented a check for $100k from The Morgan Wallen Foundation for revitalizing South Chicago's Bessemer Park baseball field.

Wallen said, "We are thrilled to donate $100k to Bessemer Park to give the kids a place to play ball here in South Chicago," said Wallen. "This donation, combined with being back on stage performing for my fans tonight at Wrigley, is a true doubleheader for me."

Photo - Happy Monday

Gibbs High School graduate Morgan didn't just surprise seniors with a concert – he left behind a gift in the form of $35,000 for the school's band, chorus, and baseball programs.

It was a night the senior class nor Wallen are likely to forget. From a surprise presentation of a 2021 championship ring by baseball coach Jeff Davis to having his parents, son, and both grandmothers in the crowd, Wallen reflected, "This is so cool. There are a lot of special people here. Having graduated in 2011, I wasn't sure how I'd feel coming back - but this place will always hold a special place in my heart."

Coach Steven Wilson said the team has been through a lot this year (2022) since the Waverly floods last August, and he said if Morgan Wallen didn't help their team out financially, then they wouldn't have been able to go to the World Series.

Morgan said in part to the Tennessee baseball team of 11 and 12-year-olds from Humphreys County in a video, "From my team to yours, we want to send y'all to South Carolina."