One of the challenges in educating the youth these days is keeping them engaged. With so many distractions, it’s tough to hold the attention of an entire class of students. But thanks to people like Michael Bonner, a second-grade teacher in North Carolina who connects with his students through unique lesson plans (like educational rap videos), there’s still ways to reach them and help provide the tools needed for a promising future.
Last month, Mr. Bonner was a guest on The Ellen Show. A teacher at South Greenville Elementary—a Title I school, based in a neighborhood with a 100% poverty rate—he explained the school’s dire need of funding and materials, as many of the students are homeless or dealing with difficult living situations. With a tight budget, Bonner and other teachers have reached into their own pockets to provide kids with school supplies, clothing and meals.
Thankfully, because Ellen is freakin’ awesome, she surprised Bonner and his class with televisions, iPads, drones, Beats by Dre headphones, and a check for $25,000. She also launched a GoFundMe page for the school—which is currently sitting at $82,000 in donations!
On top of that, Ellen also reached out to Big Sean and a few other celebrities—Ice Cube, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ty Dolla $ign and Migos—to help bring one of Bonner’s educational raps to life with a matching music video.
Set to the instrumental of O.T. Genasis’ “Push It” single, Big Sean joins the kids in a rap about the importance of reading, while the rest assist on the “READ IT” ad-libs.
With I Decided still fresh on people’s minds and Fist Fight in theaters, it’s dope to see folks like Sean and Cube using their time in the spotlight to help promote education.
Check out the event below and, if you’re pockets allow it, head over to the GoFundMe page and donate.
