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High school principal releases rap message

New administrator uses hip-hop to communicate with students

T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — William Terry, the new associate principal at Marshalltown High School, stands outside the front entryway of the facility, surrounded by blue and red tables for students to eat lunch at during the COVID-19 pandemic. Terry released a rap video, urging students to wear masks.

Meet the cool new associate principal of Marshalltown High School — William Terry.

He started on July 1, but introduced himself to the district and students through a hip-hop rap video.

“I am the self-titled ‘Hip-Hop Administrator,'” Terry, 47, said.

Using instrumentals from rapper 50 Cent’s song “Smile,” the Hip-Hop Administrator inserted his own lyrics, getting the message across to kids about the importance of wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video was uploaded onto the Marshalltown Community School District YouTube page. Terry calls the song, “Wear Your Mask.”

The video begins with him introducing himself and stating the district is “Bobcat Strong.”

William Terry, the new associate principal at Marshalltown High School, stands outside the front entryway of the facility, surrounded by blue and red tables for students to eat lunch at during the COVID-19 pandemic. Terry released a rap video, urging students to wear masks.

Toward the end of the song, he said the district will “Show the world why we Bobcat Strong.”

Rapping is a hobby for Terry, as he is a huge hip-hop fan and enjoys writing in his free time.

“I am very interested in poetry and literature,” he said.

Since the video was released, Terry said he has gotten a lot of positive responses. He did not think it would get more than 2,000 views in the first 24 hours.

Using music to reach students is nothing new for him.

New Marshalltown High School Associate Principal William Terry sits in his office on Thursday. He started in the position on July 1.

“I thought I would make a message directly to the students using hip-hop. That’s their language,” Terry said. “They listen to rap because it sounds good and they will listen to what you’re saying.”

He has used rap as a teacher and as a school administrator to communicate with students in his positions at previous school districts Des Moines Public Schools and Woodward Academy in Woodward.

“I like to use it because it’s a great way to get students writing and expressing themselves,” Terry said.

He said it is a way for students to share their backgrounds and their struggles. Taking care of the social and emotional needs of the students is one of the primary focuses for Terry. He urges teachers to be cognizant of difficulties students are facing. One of the aspects of Marshalltown Community School District that captured the attention of Terry is the cultural diversity.

“I always make sure teachers are teaching to students’ hearts and minds,” Terry said. “Not all students look like them, but they can challenge themselves to know their students. They can stretch out of their comfort zone and show students they care.”

He would eventually like to start a student hip-hop group at the Marshalltown High School as an extracurricular activity.

Whether or not Terry speaks to students through more rap songs is a “hit or miss” situation. He said it all depends on what message he wants to convey, and what the best avenue to get it across might be.

Wearing a mask was the first message he wanted to communicate and Terry is looking forward to meeting the students when classes start on Tuesday. When they walk through the doors on the first day, he will be greeting them with his mask on, and a huge smile underneath.

“This is a difficult time, but if we stay together and have a positive outlook, we can get through this,” Terry said.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 or

bradstream@timesrepublican.com.

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