East Academy Teacher & Students Interviewed by WKYC Studios for Back to School Anthem

Mrs. Taylor and Middle School students at East Academy, a K-8 public charter school in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood, have created an anthem for Cleveland students who are returning to school buildings today for the first time since face-to-face learning was suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic one year ago. Since the start of the 2020-21 school year, East Academy students have had the choice of Traditional, Online, or Hybrid Learning options, and most students have attended school in-person since August. Their message to fellow students? “Got to stay solid 10 toes to the ground, Got to wear all these masks on our face, 6 feet no one can be in our space, But our hustle cannot be erased!”

Taylor and her students were interviewed by WKCY’s Meg Hambach and featured in her piece, “Cleveland teacher, students create inspirational rap to help others heading back to class during the pandemic.

Watch the Video on Facebook »

Lyrics written by Tajuana Taylor and students. Background music: “Too Quick” produced by RicoRunDat.