The Teacher

About Jonathan Schwartz

jon.schwartz.portraitI teach second grade at Garrison Elementary in the Oceanside Unified School District, about 20 miles North of San Diego. I’ve been teaching in CA public schools for 15 years and have taught grades 1-6. I hold credentials in general and special education. I enjoy using my passion for music, technology, writing, and the visual and performing arts to engage my students. I was recognized by the CA State Senate for my work integrating technology into my classroom, and named “Tech Hero of 2011″ by the Technology Training Foundation of America.

ca-state-senate-award

In the summer I work as a marine photographer and outdoors writer, and I am a frequent contributor to many fishing, outdoors, and education publications and websites. (See the links page for more details) I’m married with three daughters and enjoy collaborating with people of all ages. .

Our Goal

Once we’ve used the music as a springboard to teach academic content standards, our goal is to take our work to completion by performing it onstage and recording it together in digital multitrack audio and video editing programs.

The students even learn how to operate programs like iMovie, Photoshop and Garage Band.

iMovie icon Photoshop icon GarageBand-icon

So far our performances have included playing a street fair, for a large audience of staff and students at the Cal State San Marcos College of Education and on local TV news and KPBS TV (watch these performances on our videos page). We're a real band, and we're learning and rocking! We have about ten songs in our repertoire.

For Your Further Interest

Check out these educational links, including Mr. Schwartz's approach to using fishing and hands-on science to motivate and engage students.

Social Connect

We invite you to use the Facebook & Twitter links above to get the very latest on our music and appearances.

Video: Sweet Home Chicago

Kids Like Blues Plays Sweet Home Chicago
Click video still to watch the Kids Like Blues Band music video, "Sweet Home Chicago."

Blues & Thematic Teaching


Click video still to view how our program works and details how we cover specific academic content standards.

In the News

We have been featured by US Dept. of Education, KPBS, and more. Click here to view what all the buzz is about.