Rocking Out with RobenX: Enhancing Student Resilience Through Collaboration

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, September/October 2024 Issue

By Lynn Ouellette

In today’s world, students are faced with an overwhelming amount of pressure, not just academically, but also in coping with an increasing number of external factors and challenges. As educators, how can we support them through these struggles? We have to get creative, try different things, and be willing to enlist help from others.

I was recently able to put this advice into practice myself, thanks to a collaboration with musician and anti-bullying advocate RobenX. The two of us worked together to teach students about resilience, but it was a learning experience for me as well; not only did I discover many strategies for reaching students in new and lasting ways, I was also able to apply some of RobenX’s messages to my own life.

Struggling to Fit In

I have been in education since 1993, motivated to enter this field because of a passion for inclusion and a desire to celebrate students with special needs—interests that stemmed from my own experiences with feeling different.

In the 2021–2022 school year I was starting a new role as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) in Houston, traveling between schools to teach Expanded Core Curriculum. The U.S. was cautiously emerging from COVID-19 restrictions and facing painful truths, including mental health crises, a recession, and George Floyd’s murder. I was 53, white, and trying to understand the lived realities and systemic racism faced by races and cultures other than my own.

The schools I was working at were in economically struggling neighborhoods with primarily Black or Hispanic staff and students. I felt honored to be in these communities of dynamic, creative souls, and was giving my all as a teacher, yet I was walking in awkward, afraid I wouldn’t fit in. I’ve always valued connection, but social skills are my biggest weakness and I worried how I would come across. Would I be able to express to the students how much I cared and genuinely wanted to support them?

Then in April of 2022, I encountered a situation that broke my heart. One of my students, a vibrant Black young man, had courageously shared that he was being bullied because of his appearance, and that he was afraid to come to school. He had Albinism (reduced or no pigment in skin, hair, and eyes), so he stood out among his peers.

The school intervened swiftly for his safety, but his mom still worried. We thought it might be beneficial for the student to talk to a relatable mentor, someone who understood what he was going through. And so, I began searching high and low for anyone who might be able to help.

Enter RobenX.

I came across his anti-bullying messages and Albinism awareness work, as well as his music and videos online. He grew up as Robdarius Brown in Orange Mound, another economically struggling, predominantly-Black neighborhood in Memphis, TN, and had endured severe bullying throughout elementary school. He had what I did not—youthfulness, swagger, and a way with words. We also had some things in common; mental health struggles that we’d managed to overcome, and, most important of all, a drive to help others.

I sent an email and he responded quickly, eager to help.

Authentic Connections

We had a series of video calls with my student, during which RobenX kindly offered to stick with him until his confidence grew. While one of the calls was taking place, a peer walked by and asked my student if he was on a video with his brother. RobenX casually replied, “No, we just both have Albinism, and we’re chatting…” The peer acknowledged this with a respectful nod and went on his way. My student’s confidence visibly increased after that, and he and RobenX began to talk more freely.

One question the student asked was, “Do you try to hide your Albinism?” RobenX responded honestly by talking about his struggles. Then he shared some advice: “We may have Albinism, but that does not define us. Who we are is our interests, talents, goals, dreams. Focus on those things and walk with your shoulders back and your head held high. You decide what people will notice about you.”

These one-on-one talks were so meaningful that RobenX agreed to participate in a whole class discussion. He joined virtually and read his book The Colors of Olleh. It was a huge hit. RobenX’s urban vibe, confidence, and poetic/manga-esque book captured the students’ attention, and his honest sharing, genuine listening, and encouraging words really built them up—so much so that by the end, all the kids were begging him to come in person.

I began sharing RobenX’s book and videos with even more students. Myself and other teachers found that these made great conversation starters for students who had big dreams, as well as for those who were struggling with issues beyond the classroom.

I was so personally inspired that I actually went to Memphis to meet RobenX and his team, then later they all came to Houston to do literacy discussions, a presentation, and a music workshop. This was made possible thanks to a number of donations, as well as a LIT Java event invitation.

RobenX is consistently authentic. His songs explore coping with his deep struggles, the ups and downs of maturing, and the realities of the world around him. My students have experienced their own harsh realities, and they respected that RobenX not only dealt with similar situations, but openly talked about them.

For class or assembly presentations, he spoke frankly about his Albinism and how he was able to overcome adversity, before jumping right in to answering the students’ many questions. He listened attentively, making sure everyone’s voices were heard, and showing delight in their interests and lives. Kids felt comfortable enough to approach him afterwards. They also delighted in sharing their work with RobenX during class visits and singing with him during the music workshop.

These authentic connections made a lasting impact. The student RobenX initially spoke with is now socially respected and personally confident. He makes friends easily, focuses on his talent with technology, and strives for academic success. The other students ask about RobenX every time I see them, and he sends them messages to this day!

“Inner-Standing”

Behind the scenes, I learned more about RobenX. He shared that he learned to cope with life’s challenges by holding on to the things he loved. He also found words to describe trauma by watching public speakers and listening to music. He acknowledged his feelings, reactions, and patterns, taking responsibility to discover what was really going on inside himself, no matter how light or dark those emotions were. He calls this “inner-standing” and I think it is what makes him so strong.

Hearing RobenX’s messages, I knew they were for me too. Corners of my heart still held insecurity from battles I had not won, but after listening to RobenX, I decided it was time to examine my own interests, passions, and dreams, so that I could finally accept myself as who I am; someone with big feelings who has a lot to learn, but who loves to connect and enjoy. I made a choice to walk confidently as this person. I examined my family history and culture, while continuing to read more about others’ lives and experiences. I worked on inner-standing too.

All this allowed me to become stronger as a wife, parent, friend, and teacher. I began trusting my own ideas for lessons, and kept it real about who I am and what I know or do not know. I asked about student’s hobbies, activities, and goals more enthusiastically. I connected them with ways to pursue their interests.

In turn, I watched as they let down their guards, sharing more of themselves with me. They started to show more respect and motivation too. Our skill-building lessons became more productive. They opened up about challenges, and I, in turn found ways to teach them how to solve those problems independently.

Over time, I realized that I was no longer anxious about belonging and that I was, in fact, part of the community too.

We’re in This Together

I started this journey with the goal of supporting my students, but along the way, I discovered my own strengths as well. I also learned that I don’t have to face life’s challenges alone—no one does. I hope that by sharing these stories, both mine and RobenX’s, other teachers can also find inspiration and see the value in embracing new approaches and building lasting connections.

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Lynn Ouellette is a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Arts Enthusiast in Houston, TX. She studied Music, East Asian Studies, and Education, and has worked with all ages. Lynn also enjoys volunteering, listening to people’s stories, and trying new things. You can follow her on X here.