Sharp Dressed Man

Forgive my tardiness in providing my response to one of the latest #oklaed blogger challenges. My friend "Blue" over at Blue Cereal Education presented the idea that every teacher needs his or her own "Entrance Video" [or song] in the spirit of professional wrestlers (click here for Blue's initial post on this topic and then click here for Blue's compilation of other blogger's videos).

My initial thought to Blue's request was "oy vey".  However, the more that I think about the idea, the more fun in now sounds. Just picture it: as the teacher steps into a classroom full of students eager for the the learning to begin a song starts, not just any song, but a song announcing that they audience is to be met with a figure of greatness...not just a mere mortal...but...wait for it...a teacher.

There are many articles, blog posts, and YouTube videos which have attempted to elevate the status of teachers within society to something beyond the images of a glorified babysitter or the mantra of "those who can, do. those who can't, teach." Most thinking people understand that both of these images of just plan horse sh!t, and those who want to help present a superstar status of teachers (which I appreciate so much!!) do their best to showcase teachers as such. A video from the comedy due Key & Peele made the rounds this summer and attempted to elevate the image of teachers to something comparable to that of highly sought after professional athletes.

So without much further ado, I want to present the "Entrance Video" that I would want played on my behalf as I step in front of my students:

Lyrics [with my edits]:

Clean shirt, new shoes

And I [know right] where I am goin' to

Silk suit, [bow] tie

[Teachin' kids] the reason why

They come runnin' just as fast as they can

'Cause every [kid respects the] sharp dressed man

Gold watch, diamond ring

I ain't missin' not a single thing

And cufflinks, [kind grin]

When I step I step out I'm gonna [teach you kid]

They come runnin' just as fast as they can

'Cause every [kid respects the] sharp dressed man

Top coat, top hat

Well I [can dream] 'cause [teacher's] wallet's flat

Black shades, white gloves

Lookin' sharp and [doin' what I] love

They come runnin' just as fast as they can

'Cause every [kid respects the] sharp dressed man

So next time you hear this song, just picture Mr. Bow-Tie Clad Burton stepping in front of a room full of AP United States History or AP Human Geography students ready to learn about their world.