Crossing the Line of Objectivity

1. Crossing the Line of Objectivity The MAC Daddies Chris Emmi Brian Galvin Rory Hughes Joe Johnson Jeff Lev Chris Thomas

2. My name’s MC Emmi • I’m an old school G • Me and my Crew are gonna tell it like it is • About what to do when prechin’ to the kids • We’ll give you a look • Of our chapter from the book • Our subject’s not easy, it’s hard you see • Crossing the line, the line of objectivity

3. Gonna start off with the story, Antoine is the kid • Not a lot of success in much that he did • A student who was strugglin’ since the first grade • A student who was strugglin’ in the worst way • He’s a great artist, loves to play ball • But when it comes to school, Antoine takes a fall • He has a hard time, lashes out as his teachers • So they pass him by, never noticing his features

4. They label him a loser • They’re lookin’ for a cruiser • Refuse to find his talents or any of his skills • They’d just as soon sedate him, give him lots of pills • Now he’s in the sixth grade, needin’ lots of help • But they see him as hopeless, won’t give him a yelp

5. They find what they’re lookin’ for in Antoine’s brother Chris • Always getting’ A’s, not a day he will miss • He makes the teachers feel great for doing their job • They don’t have a clue that it’s Chris that they rob

6. They label him a winner, never let him fail • But what’s gonna happen when Chris hits the rail? • Sometime Chris won’t sail • He’s gonna want to bail • Failure and challenge, every kid needs to learn • He has to learn to cope, has to fight to earn

7. They’re doing him a disservice • By never making him nervous • He’s got some hidden problems they won’t try to see • Because that won’t make him perfect, like he needs to be • So now I’ve got some words for you all as teachers • So your kids you can help, stead of just sittin’ in the bleachers • Never label students as “winners” or “losers” • Kids are always changing • Not static computers

8. Don’t fall prey to the cultural stereotype • You’ll end up labeling from hearing all that hype • These problems they arise from parental stress and depression • Divorce, race, and poverty, shouldn’t be part of the question • Be sure to first identify the needs of each student • Then address them during conferences • You have to, it’s prudent • You have to be subjective, weigh each kid on their own • Together with the parents you can help this kid grow

9. That’s all for my rhyme • I’m runnin’ out of time • So now I’ll pass the mic to my man Brian • No, the rap’s not over, so you can stop your cryin’ • MC BG is gonna rap for another bout • But me, I’m MC Emmi, and yo, you know I’m out

10. First off let me thank my good friend Emmi • He’s notorious like Ashton and Demi • He’s notorious, like B.I.G. • But now it’s me, M.C.B.G. • I’m from the D – and I’m gonna make this a habit • You can call me B. Gal. or you can call me B. Rabbit • Keeping the spirit of Eminem alive • He’s from 8 Mile, I’m from just south of five • Here to tell you ‘bout problems that some kids go through • When their teachers aren’t easy enough to go to

11. Some of the things that these kids do • Have more or less nothing to do with you • A kid cranes his neck, you think to cheat • But he just can’t see, dog move his seat • Don’t rant and rave, so that she’ll fear you • It may just be that she can’t hear you • They’ll hang their heads in resignation • If you won’t hear their explanation • Kids need to know, their teachers care • It may take work but it pays to be fair

12. So help them out with what they’re wishing • You’re paid to talk, but it pays to listen • Before you’re quick with a rebuttal • Make sure the kid’s not really in trouble • Although some kids are full of excuses • Some are victims of abuses • By teachers, who don’t pay attention • To classroom troubles that are worth the mention

13. Take the example of ‘Toine’s mom Fania • Who had more troubles than Harding, Tonya • Or maybe her name is pronounced Fania • Not to be confused with Kenny Bania • Her school career was quite traumatic • And I’m not trying to be dramatic • She had a problem with limited vision • Couldn’t read or see with much precision • Couldn’t read a book or see the blackboard • Without running up to it like Leroy Hoard

14. A teacher left her in the back, all by herself • Ignored all of Fania’s pleas for help • All he had to do, and I don’t mean to be blunt • Is let that damned girl sit up front! • Her schoolwork suffered, she felt like a bum • Her parents and teachers assumed her dumb • And stupid, and even lazy • Turns out they were the ones who were awfully crazy

15. In her sixth grade yearbook, a friend named James • Signed his name, to her rescue he came • In his signature, he mentioned that • He liked her although she was blind as a bat • From that point on, she aced her classes • With a little help from prescription eyeglasses • Goes to show, in your school or institution • Complicated problems have simple solutions

16. You’ll have some kids like Fania White • Who will sit in the dark till you turn on the light • They may not be able to see or hear • But have no fear, superteacher is here • With a helping hand or diagnosis • For a problem that just might seem atrocious • But isn’t, he’s just attuned to kids’ needs • A simple plan to turn D’s to B’s • And 2.5’s to 4.0’s

17. Like magic, or should I say, like Whoa • Like Whoa, go out and spread the news • But first let me introduce my boy MC Hughes • Comes strong in the clutch like Robert Horry • And only likes movies that are bloody and gory • Came straight to college from Montessori • Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Rory…

18. Many Shout outs to B-Gal now ya know • Cognates got you weary and ya know it really shows • But lean in and listen real close while I flow • Cause the rhymes I spit will make ya say Whoah! • Call me Nonsense Ro Ro or Big Huey • Either way I’m turnin’ mikes to Chop Suey • Sent here to drop a piece of crucial knowledge • Bout a teacher named Audrey sendin’ kids to college • In rural Maine is where she teaches • Schools’ pretty white but out she reaches

19. To the parents of students like little Matt • Achievement’s real high but Matt’s a little brat • Always wants to know who got the highest grade • Dropping many questions that Audrey must evade • Time to call a conference with little Matt’s mom • But Audrey’s hesitant to drop a big bomb • So they get together now ya listen real close • She reframes the convo to lessen the dose • Turns out Matt is havin’ trouble with his daddy • It drives his mom and all his teachers straight batty

20. Audrey recognizes this and works with his momma • This collaboration prevents further drama • Instead of me against you they’re in it together • Which makes for a storm that together they can whether • The lesson of Matt is quite relevant • Just cause a kid is smart doesn’t make him exempt • From the pycho-emotional issues that plague us all • But Audrey’s not afraid to take the fall • Because of this Matt’s behavior improves • Not only is he smart but his attitude behooves

21. His mom and his classmates and even his teacher • See this is what this chapter is looking to feature • Here’s another trick that Audrey employs • At the parent-teacher conference the kids have a voice • From this alternative practice she gets results • Kids impress their parents by acting like adults • A few more examples to make the point clear • In the past Cathy’s mom’s been full of fear • About her daughter’s success in the class • Well below the level of the critical mass

22. “Your daughter’s doin’ fine” says Audrey and she knows it • “Look at the portfolio, mom, it really shows it.” • Mom’s surprised and she’s no longer buggin’ • Daughter’s doin’ well thanks to Audrey’s tuggin’ • On the many strings of Cathy’s little mind • Cathy’s movin’ forward, she’s no longer behind • Examples of success yeah ya know there’s many more • Morgan’s mom is trippin’ cause her daughter makes her sore • Just to have an ear makes mom feel understood • This is true in Maine and it’s true in the hood

23. Let the parents know you care and then ya gotta show it • They appreciate it and they’re sure to let you know it • Audrey is a model for us all to emulate • She doesn’t prejudge and she doesn’t denigrate • The weakness of her kids and they all have some • Whether four point O or quote unquote dumb • Audrey has knowledge to reshape the conversation • About the kids’ path and their destination • This begins something I call perpetuation • Of a positive approach to the conversation • That’s my knowledge of my part of Chapter five • I hope what I said kept ya’ll alert and alive • My rap ability might not be up to par • But I ain’t scurred to spit a freestyle in a bar • Some of you might not be feelin’ what I’m sayin’ • But nonetheless the eggs of vital knowledge I’ma layin’ • Now it’s time for me to pass this burnin’ Mike • To a dude who’d make Slim Shady take a hike • His name is kinda common but his skills are sublime • Joey J the floor is yours to spew a grimy rhyme.

24. So I guess this means here I go • What ‘yall know about this rhyme flow • Teachers I think its time ‘yall know • That these parents are tyin’ to make some inroads • Take for example, this teacher CarOL • She starts a program, that’s solid like GOLd • The Pilot Program is breakin the MOLd • Getting’ kids to succeed is the common goal

25. She builds up trust and the pace slows • The woman cares and that’s how it go • Kids throw their fears out the window • The safe environment, it makes ‘em say WHOA • The place is their asylum, act like you know • This teacher Carol, don’t accept the status quo • She makes them want improvement and that’s no JOke • Getting’ the kids mainstreamed is the ULTIMATE GOal

26. These kids lack faith , in they ability to do MO’ • Confrontin’ fears goes beyond the traditional role • She drew a hard line back years Ago • She act like family now, and its apropoe • Right now I’m droppin’ science like Galileo • My man Ben Wallace got the nicest afro • Before we off point and I let ‘yall go • There’s one more thing that you ought to know

27. Carol has to teach the parents what’s right from what’s not SO • She helps these parents man from head to toe • She helps the parents make good decisions and so… • Parents and teachers are united in their roles • Like this girl who dated a thirty five year OLd • Or this kid drinking, acting like a hobo • Carol teaches parents that these are No-No’s • Parents show tough love, so they can build and Grow

28. Now its time to head out the Do’ • Douste-Blazy, DeVillepin man, they got the sickest rhyme flow • My boy gonna juggle chiwawas like it’s a puppet show • That’s my time, I hope I made you say WHOA

29. Big ups to my boy Joe • Far superior is his flow • My rap is about teamwork • Duties parents cannot shirk • Working with parents is key • To the goal of “Getting to We” • We need them for student success • Without them, our lives are a mess • Talking to them is they way • To make sure students are okay

30. Conferences are one good place • To communicate face to face • Email is a useful tool • When their kids act a fool • Be careful with email though • Because body language won’t show • Phones are also acceptable • Make times that are flexible • Students should be present • To ensure that they are pleasant

31. Unless they don’t want to be there • Either way, show you care • Sometimes parents are resistant • It’s your job to be persistent • Shake off failures like Mariah • Don’t make the kid a pariah • Sometimes parents will dislike you • Don’t get hostile like Waterloo • Just show patience and kindness • Seek common ground and find it

32. Sometimes parents are divorced • It’s important they don’t feel forced • Which parent gets more involved • Is the mystery you must solve • He or she is your ally • To make you less of a bad guy • Focus on the student • Anything else is not prudent • Build the confidence they feel • So success is not surreal

33. My life would be a failure • Eating cat food in a trailer • Thanks for lending your ears • And not shedding your tears • Wait for Charlie to come by • To break down and cry • I’ll hand it off to CT • He’s better looking than me

34. To sugar coat or shoot straight, you make the choice • Here’s why the latter is better… in my opera voice • Now that’s out of the way, let me intro some friends • Carol is an angel; trying to make Tony some N’s

35. Imagine a mom nursing her baby to sleep • Loving, protecting her lost herd of sheep • Mothering instincts, love, and complete devotion • Protecting her students with the fiercest emotions • Many meetings with parents to unify their position • Made Tony’s mom say, “This one’s a magician”

36. Pointing out the positives and listening patiently • Carol beats it into their heads, “My favorite word is we” • Now you’ve seen in Carol an undying emotion • She swears honest conversation stems from passion and devotion • But Tony’s the real focus of my sloppy quills • Like The Waterboy’s mom said, “He ain’t got de social skills.”

37. Constant torment from “normals” left Tony in search of protection • The scar from that is his fear of rejection • He found solice in Carol’s herd; in her educational chapel • Where his computer skills flourished like Steve Jobs at Apple • Thanks to Carol and her honest affection • Tony’s got a shot and a plan for redemption

38. Seeing the promise in students drives Fania White • The ghosts of her past made her resiliant and bright • Belief in her students helped pull them from their nadir • Ask the evil leader, a once stuttering D-D-Darth Vader