For the past three years, Callie Evans and Audri Williams, teachers based in Dougherty County, Albany, have been producing jam-back-to-school jams for students at Monroe Comprehensive High School.
“We did not know what was going to happen,” Evans told CNN. “They were used to being in class. So, we just wanted to motivate them and keep them busy and make sure they were excited for what was to come, even though it was unknown.”
This year, the teachers did a remake of Jack Harlow’s “What’s Poppin”, a hit that is popular with Gen Z thanks to TikTok. Williams and Evans wrote the lyrics themselves, recruiting the school’s cheerleaders as backup dancers.
“Yeah, we’re virtual, and you know what’s going on. That we’re recording it for a while and Monroe is the best, no comparison,” the teachers raped. “We at the top, all truth no dull. CTAE, Fine Arts, and sports, man. I want it all for myself. No parts. COVID-19 had us stressed, but it’s nothing.”
The production took a week to make, but required a lot of discipline to perfect.
“I don’t think a lot of people know how much time, energy and money we actually put into doing this,” Williams told CNN. “But we just enjoy them to make other people happy.”
Monday marked the first day of virtual learning, and high school teachers said they already feel more connected to their students. Once students signed up, they were excited to learn more about the rap video, which served as an ideal icebreaker, Williams said.
“They could meet and see who we were as teachers,” Williams said. “So, when they come in for the first day of school, they are already excited. Their energy matched our energy, and it is only the second day.”
“It’s a great feeling, because now I know I’m already connected to my student on another level,” Evans added.
The Dougherty County School System plans to monitor coronavirus numbers every day. If there is an average average number of days with low cases, the system will turn to parents who have a choice between face-to-face or virtual learning, school officials told CNN.
Williams and Evans said virtual learning is running better than expected.
“I was nervous about it, but I actually enjoy it,” Evans said. “It gives students a sense of independence to make sure they actually get their work done.”
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