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TJ Casey's cowboy poetry makes a difference for kids

Courtesy of the Agri News

BY- Rhonda Stearns

 

In April of 2007, at the urging of Montana cowboy poets represented by DW Groethe of Bainville, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer joined Governors of many other states in officially saluting Cowboy Poetry Week, noting the importance of "public awareness to this form of art and its value to the people of Montana."

"I am pleased to recognize Cowboy Poetry Week in the state of Montana," Schweitzer said. "Cowboy poetry has a rich history in Montana and has been an active part of schools and communities in Montana."

One such school is the Billings Educational Academy, a community-oriented holistic learning center focusing on the individual learning style of each child, in an environment that encourages and supports each child's unique gifts.

Acclaimed cowboy poet, musician, and entertainer TJ Casey of Billings gives of his time and talents to introduce students in Montana and other states to cowboy poetry. A shared desire to nurture creativity, love of learning, and personal growth comes together when TJ visits classrooms at the Billings Educational Academy.

Margo Haak, fulltime instructor at the academy, says, "The kids love TJ and his poems and music! He is always the first one they ask for when the school year begins. Two of our students have had their poetry on TJ's website. That was awesome for them."

To TJ, introducing students to cowboy poetry is important. "I believe in our roots and heritage," he says. "We all need to stand up and protect the traditions and legacies we've inherited, and I've got a story to tell. I want to be an image for kids to look up to, and hopefully instill in them this same love of country and customs I know and respect. Without our heritage, our children lose focus. Without our children's focus, we lose our world."

When TJ enters a classroom wearing his regular cowboy duds, he aims to utilize the natural talent and imaginations of kids through teaching them to use cowboy poetry as a vehicle of expression. He further understands that this process gives them confidence to believe in themselves and their abilities.

Through their association with TJ, the students and teachers of Billings Educational Academy have become involved in the Giving Back Foundation, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting ranchers and farmers hard hit by natural disasters. TJ and his wife Marcie were instrumental in bringing the foundation to life in the winter of 2006.

"Every man, woman and child in America is dependent on the farmer and rancher for food, clothing and other necessities of life," TJ says. "The rancher and farmer have been the backbone of America for years and it's time we give something back... we appreciate their hard work and what they provide for us, so we should let them know."

When the foundation kicked off with a concert and auction last December, the Billings Educational Academy was among the first to volunteer help. Learning of the need for the Giving Back Foundation and understanding its mission, then assisting with the concert and auction, gave the students an even deeper introduction to cowboy poetry and music, along with the historic Western principle of helping one another.

Helping is a concept BEA students are familiar with. "A big part of the student's education here is learning to be good citizens and give of themselves," says Haak. "We participate in the community through cooking and serving meals at the Rescue Mission, adopting foster grandparents, and helping with Eagle Mount, Angel Horses, Special Olympics and Adopt-A-Highway. The Giving Back concert was a wonderful experience because it was so different. I'm sure my students didn't realize the problems and plights of farmers and ranchers - what an eye opener! We are so ready to be involved again."

For more information on the Giving Back Foundation, visit www.ranchersandfarmers.org.

As we enter another school year, TJ Casey plans to continue to educate young people about cowboy poetry through classroom visits. Last year, TJ taught in classrooms across North Dakota and Montana, and he's willing to visit schools across the nation starting this fall. For more information, visit www.tjcasey.net.

- Rhonda Stearns

Editor's Note: Agri-News salutes TJ for carrying on Western traditions and for reaching out to a new generation of a different culture. As a way of saying thanks, we're going to print outstanding student poems from almost every classroom TJ visits. See this week's sampling at right.

 

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