An English teacher in Montgomery County, Maryland, has been rapping his way through the coronavirus pandemic — and it just paid off in a big way. Michael Doggett, a teacher at Hallie Wells Middle School in Clarksburg, has been using his “Hey Students” rap videos to highlight those in his school and keep them entertained and educated as classes transitioned online. On Friday night, he found the spotlight turned on himself. Streaming live to his almost 12 million followers on Instagram, Chance the Rapper hosted his Inaugural Twilight Awards to honor educators who go above and beyond to creatively teach their students. “This is Teacher Appreciation Week, so, first of all, shout out to all of the teachers going the extra mile,” Chance said in a video announcing the awards. He gave the final of 10 awards to Doggett on Instagram Live, which included a $30,000 prize with the help of Box Tops for Education. He responded after the awards on Twitter:
Thank you @chancetherapper from the bottom of my heart for the joy you have given me and my students, and the courage you have given me to continue what I am doing. You are one special human being, Mr. Bennett. I can’t wait to watch next year’s Twilight Awards. #hiphoped pic.twitter.com/pSHMfWFAqI
— Michael Doggett (@MrDoggettRMS) May 9, 2020
Doggett created the Hallie Wells Middle Hip Hop Program, inspired by HipHopEd, a nonprofit that works to empower students by utilizing youth culture.
- Coronavirus FAQs: What you need to know
- Where to get tested for COVID-19 in the DC region
- Frontline Heroes: How this Md. woman helps domestic abuse survivors during the pandemic
- ‘Fear kills:’ WWII vets recall war, reject panic over virus
- ‘Vibrant’ DC murals put on hold by pandemic
- Sign up for news alerts from WTOP
- Latest coronavirus test results in D.C., Maryland and Virginia