Rock Star teacher strikes a chord at Common Ground

by Holly Weatherwax, Staff Writer

Kids at Common Ground love Josh and his guitar. Photo contributed by Josh Brooks

You might think a celebrity has arrived when Josh Brooks walks into a classroom at Common Ground Day Care Center. The children erupt in excitement, knowing he’s about to pull out his guitar and serenade them with Disney favorites.

A Reston native, Brooks attended Langston Hughes Middle School, South Lakes High School, and NOVA before earning a psychology degree from George Mason University. While in college, he worked at Common Ground as a teacher’s aide, floating between classrooms as needed.

After graduation, he tried a “real” job with a government contractor. Nine months later, he realized it wasn’t for him and returned to Common Ground in a new role—as the school’s Social-Emotional Teacher.

Brooks had never imagined such a specialty existed. Today, he visits every class daily, teaching lessons on everything from basic conversation to handling big feelings, while pitching in wherever needed.

Music has always been part of Brooks’ life. Although he abandoned guitar lessons as a child—“I didn’t like practicing,” he admits—he later found a great teacher at Reston Music and joined the guitar ensemble at South Lakes. He even toured with a friend’s band when he was 22. These days, aside from the occasional child’s birthday party, professional performing is behind him.

But when he brings out his guitar at school, the rock star returns. “No matter the age, students always go crazy when the guitar comes out,” he says. “Even young babies seem to move in response to music.” Parents have told him their children were inspired to ask for guitars and start lessons—a deeply rewarding outcome for Brooks.

While his personal taste leans toward heavy metal, his classroom repertoire features classic children’s songs, Disney tunes, and age-appropriate pop and rock.

Brooks’ role at Common Ground blends his psychology background with his love of music. What began as a college job has become a meaningful career. “Seeing Social-Emotional Learning gain traction—and getting to add my guitar to the mix—is an added bonus,” he says.