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Long Halloween Legacy of “Thriller” at Eastlake Elementary
Description
For some former students she will be forever known as the “Thriller” teacher at Eastlake Elementary School.
On this episode of the Supercast, meet Jackie Webster, a visual art specialist who began a long and lasting Halloween tradition of 6th grade students performing “Thriller” to the delight of parents, younger students, and staff at Eastlake. It’s a tradition now being carried on by a new teacher, but Ms. Webster continues to show up for the spooky and spectacular performance.
Audio Transcription
Jackie Webster:
The girl handed me my drink. She said, "Wait, aren't you the thriller teacher of Foothills?" I mean, that was like forever ago.
Anthony Godfrey:
Before we get into the history, can you just tell me what this is and what we can look forward to?
Jackie Webster:
When the parents come, it's not just a minute and a half. It's a five-and-a-half-minute dance. So they dance for the whole thing and they dress up like zombies. It's something that they look forward to every year.
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. For some former students, she will be forever known as the "Thriller Teacher" at Eastlake Elementary School.
On this episode of the Supercast, meet Jackie Webster, a visual arts specialist who began a long and lasting Halloween tradition of sixth-grade students performing "Thriller" to the delight of parents, other students, and staff at Eastlake. It's a tradition now being carried on by a new teacher, but Ms. Webster continues to show up for the spooky and spectacular performance.
[Music]We are here at Eastlake Elementary School to talk about what happens at Halloween. Introduce yourselves and then let's get into it.
Jackie Webster:
I'm Jacqueline Webster
Ciara Brady:
And I'm Ciara Brady.
Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me your roles.
Jackie Webster:
Right now I'm the BTS Art Instructional Coach for Jordan District, so I go to all the elementary schools. So I get to coach all the elementary arts teachers.
Anthony Godfrey:
And you're the new dance instructor here.
Ciara Brady:
Yes.
Anthony Godfrey:
Before we get into the history, can you just tell me what this is and what we can look forward to?
Jackie Webster:
Okay, so the Thriller Dance is with the sixth-grade students here at Eastlake. It gives them an opportunity to have something different to participate in and a different experience. And it's something that they've looked forward to every year. The original dance is only actually like a minute and a half in the actual video. So over the years, I've added choreography. I've changed it so that when the parents come it's not just a minute and a half. It's a five-and-a-half-minute dance. So they dance for the whole thing and they dress up like zombies. And then we we’re Michael.
Anthony Godfrey:
So each of you play the role of Michael?
Jackie Webster:
Yeah, I've always been Michael.
Anthony Godfrey:
Hence the red leather jacket with the MJ on it.
Jackie Webster:
This is official from the MJ store.
Anthony Godfrey:
Is it really?
Jackie Webster:
It really is.
Anthony Godfrey:
How long have you had this jacket?
Jackie Webster:
Oh, well, a long time.
Anthony Godfrey:
Because it looks vintage. It looks real.
Jackie Webster:
It is vintage.
Anthony Godfrey:
That is awesome. I look forward to learning some moves with you guys.
Jackie Webster:
Oh, I love that.
Anthony Godfrey:
Before I have a trivia question now. What is it that no known mortal can resist?
Jackie Webster:
The evil of thriller.
Anthony Godfrey:
Yes, the evil of the thriller.