The Ron Clark Story (also known as The Triumph) is a 2006 television film starring Matthew Perry. The film is based on the real-life educator Ron Clark. It follows the tale of an idealistic teacher who leaves his small hometown to teach in a New York City public school, where he faces trouble with the students. The film was directed by Randa Haines, and was released directly on television. The film premiered on TNT on August 13, 2006.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00 [Phone ringing]
00:00:07 Ron Clark, ready for your first day?
00:00:10 Yes, ma'am.
00:00:11 I'll be with you in a minute and I'll introduce you to your class.
00:00:27 Hi. What happened to you?
00:00:30 The juicer's, I can't learn, so I should go with the trash.
00:00:37 Okay, settle down. Let's get out our silent reading.
00:00:41 I'm Mr. Clark. What's your name?
00:00:50 Kathy Craig.
00:00:51 Nice to meet you.
00:00:55 Walter, elbows off your desk.
00:00:57 You know, I'm so sorry. I'm so forgetful. What's my name again?
00:01:01 It's Mr. Clark.
00:01:03 Oh, see? You just learned something.
00:01:06 Let's get you out of there.
00:01:09 Mr. Clark?
00:01:12 Yeah?
00:01:13 Is you going to be our new teacher?
00:01:15 Ellen, no whispering.
00:01:17 Get the chair!
00:01:20 Put her!
00:01:21 Get the shovel!
00:01:23 Don't grab the other thing!
00:01:25 We'll arrive at Swan Quarter by five, like we always do.
00:01:32 Pick up the shrimp bait at the general store, like we always do,
00:01:37 and hop the ferry over to Ocracoke Island for some fine flounder fishing.
00:01:41 Like we always do.
00:01:43 Well, folks, it's not quite the end of the year summer celebration we expected.
00:01:49 But let's take a moment to thank our own Mr. Clark,
00:01:53 whose fifth grade class tested number one in Beaufort County for the fourth year in a row!
00:01:58 We have a surprise that we have put together for you.
00:02:04 Unfortunately, it's outside.
00:02:17 Although, Mr. Clark began here as a temporary teacher.
00:02:21 Well, we've all chipped in on something to help him feel more permanent.
00:02:26 Come on.
00:02:27 I love it here, but I've got to move on, Mom,
00:02:52 before they use that parking space for my grave.
00:02:55 New York public schools are desperate for good teachers.
00:02:58 Newspaper says they're begging for them.
00:03:01 Dad, every year I tell my students to go for what they want in life.
00:03:05 Dream big, take risks.
00:03:07 It's time I started living up to my own words.
00:03:10 I'm going to miss you guys, but I've got to go.
00:03:15 We understand, sweetie.
00:03:17 Goodbye.
00:03:23 People get killed in New York.
00:03:25 This is Radio Roanoke, where the sun is shining and the temperature is 78 degrees.
00:03:48 And the night sounds start to whisper.
00:03:52 News and sports in five, Baltimore, but now let's get ready to rock and roll with the smoke and red.
00:03:58 That was the mellow midnight voice of Johnny Hartman.
00:04:01 This is WNYC in New York City.
00:04:04 Next up, something cool on a hot night.
00:04:08 [music]
00:04:19 [car horn]
00:04:20 Come on, pal, get out of the way!
00:04:21 [car horn]
00:04:22 Come on, I'm trying to park here!
00:04:24 Rents due at 10.
00:04:26 Cash only. Checkouts at 11.30.
00:04:30 Okay, this is great. And what's your name?
00:04:34 Yolanda.
00:04:36 Thank you, Yolanda.
00:04:38 [car engine]
00:04:40 Hi!
00:04:41 New York.
00:05:01 [sniff]
00:05:02 [sniff]
00:05:05 Good morning. Good morning.
00:05:16 Yolanda, good morning.
00:05:19 Do you have a list of the public schools in Harlem?
00:05:22 Sure I do, baby.
00:05:28 Okay, thank you.
00:05:30 What do you want school listings for?
00:05:33 I'm a teacher.
00:05:35 And you want to teach? Up in Harlem?
00:05:39 Yes.
00:05:41 Well then, honey, you're going to need something else. Personal injury lawyers.
00:05:45 Because once your way behind goes on up in there, they'll be carrying you back up the same way you went in.
00:05:49 What kind of foolishness is this? Going on up there, trying to teach. You know you ain't going to get anything.
00:05:53 Okay, thank you.
00:05:54 Bye, baby.
00:05:55 Bye, baby.
00:05:56 [music]
00:05:58 Thank you so much for coming in.
00:06:17 You're welcome. If you could just look at my resume.
00:06:19 I apologize, we just don't have a position available.
00:06:21 All my kids tested above grade level.
00:06:23 I'm sure they did. And good luck to you.
00:06:27 [music]
00:06:29 [music]
00:06:56 Ma'am, you forgot your purse.
00:06:58 Thank you, ma'am.
00:06:59 You're welcome.
00:07:00 Thanks.
00:07:01 So, my merry men and ladies, let us steal from the rich and help a poor, brave waiter go henceforth into the kitchen and command your dinners.
00:07:16 Nice hat. Distracts the customers from that accent.
00:07:20 Hey, watch out. I got a bow and arrow.
00:07:22 What show are you in? Everybody works here as an actor.
00:07:24 I'm a teacher.
00:07:26 You are going to change before your first class, right?
00:07:28 Very funny. How about you?
00:07:30 Me? Oh, I'm taking a break from acting.
00:07:33 The Cleopatra gig is very challenging.
00:07:35 Hey, who's that?
00:07:38 That's the Queen of Egypt, in love with Marc Antony.
00:07:41 No, I... I mean, who is that?
00:07:45 Marissa. And she's even more beautiful out of costume.
00:07:48 I'm Jason.
00:07:50 Otherwise known as Marc Antony.
00:07:55 Sorry.
00:07:56 It happens all the time, bro. Don't sweat it.
00:07:58 Get them fake heels out of him.
00:08:10 Get back in the class, you drunk.
00:08:16 Hey, hey, hey.
00:08:17 Hey, hey.
00:08:18 Come over here, you little...
00:08:19 Hey, come over here, you little...
00:08:21 Hey, hey, hey.
00:08:22 Enough!
00:08:24 Hey, Son Mitchell, my office now.
00:08:26 I'm not playing with you, son.
00:08:29 I ain't no son.
00:08:34 Mrs. Salks, what the hell was that?
00:08:38 That boy is your student.
00:08:40 Not anymore.
00:08:41 You walk away, you stay away.
00:08:44 You can have the little bastards.
00:08:48 I can start right now.
00:08:50 I can start right now.
00:08:51 You're lucky you got detention and not an assault charge.
00:09:03 Hello, I'm Ron Clark.
00:09:11 I wanted to let you know I taught fifth grade for four years in North Carolina.
00:09:16 You need a teacher, I need a job, so let's help each other out.
00:09:19 Mr. Clark, I'm sure you're very sincere, but I'm afraid you might be a little too...
00:09:23 Too what? Too white, too tall, too ugly?
00:09:25 Nice.
00:09:27 I specialize in raising standardized test scores.
00:09:29 This is the honors class.
00:09:36 These students score in the top ten percentile of the state exams every year.
00:09:40 We divide each grade into four classes according to their achievement scores.
00:09:45 What about this class?
00:09:47 What about this class?
00:09:48 This class tested at the bottom of the entire New York City school district.
00:09:55 They do seem a little bit squirrely.
00:09:58 Oh, they're a bit more than squirrely.
00:10:00 These students have problems with learning, discipline, social skills.
00:10:04 Like Tayshawn Mitchell.
00:10:07 Two strikes going on three towards the juvenile detention center.
00:10:10 I'm your man.
00:10:15 I have an opening in grade three. If your credentials check out...
00:10:18 You have an opening right here.
00:10:19 No. Last year, this class went through six different teachers before Christmas.
00:10:24 Yes, nobody wants them and I do, so what's the problem?
00:10:27 Test scores are very important to me. It's how I keep my job.
00:10:33 I can start right now.
00:10:35 You can start on Monday.
00:10:38 State exams are in May.
00:10:43 You are out of control.
00:10:44 Yo, man.
00:10:46 On a break.
00:11:00 Two hundred bucks and nothing.
00:11:06 Jeez, you should have heard them in there.
00:11:09 "Oh, Cleo, we got your snake right here." And then they just stiff me.
00:11:13 Want half?
00:11:18 Yeah, sure.
00:11:20 You're a teacher, Clark. What is it? I mean, why don't guys grow up?
00:11:24 Ooh, I'm afraid my level of expertise expires in the sixth grade.
00:11:28 You got a job?
00:11:31 Inner Harlem Elementary. I'm gonna start meeting my kids tomorrow.
00:11:37 You might want to hold on to this. Maybe your last meal.
00:11:40 Nah, they're gonna love me.
00:11:42 I like to meet all the parents, Miss Vasquez, before I start teaching.
00:11:55 Julio!
00:11:57 To get them involved.
00:11:58 Julio!
00:12:00 Damn it. Who is he?
00:12:03 He a clown, Mr. Clark.
00:12:06 But he's a good boy. I had him when I was only 14.
00:12:10 That's okay. Like I was saying...
00:12:13 What?
00:12:15 I was just saying...
00:12:17 You can help out by working with Julio every night on his homework.
00:12:21 Sure. Okay.
00:12:23 Together, we can get him excited about learning.
00:12:26 American history.
00:12:27 Solar system. Pre-algebra.
00:12:34 Huh?
00:12:35 I just want Julio to achieve his full potential.
00:12:42 So, Mr. Clark, are you married?
00:12:47 No.
00:12:50 It's very nice to meet you all today.
00:13:01 You know, I've never had a student from India before. How do you pronounce your name?
00:13:05 Badzian.
00:13:06 I like to read, especially when I get...
00:13:08 Quiet, lady.
00:13:09 Men are talking, okay?
00:13:12 Watch it!
00:13:21 Watch it!
00:13:27 Watch it!
00:13:28 They don't need no...
00:13:33 Jamaica Wallace?
00:13:44 I'm Mr. Clark, your new teacher. I called earlier.
00:13:47 It's Saturday, fool.
00:13:48 Jamaica, who is it?
00:13:50 Nobody!
00:13:51 Oh, aren't those your brothers?
00:13:54 No, they're my kids. I'm 12 years old and I got three kids.
00:13:58 Who are you talking to?
00:14:00 I'm Mr. Clark, Jamaica's new teacher.
00:14:02 What the hell happened to Mr. Solace?
00:14:04 Fool, quit.
00:14:05 He's wet.
00:14:06 I swear to God, your teachers come in and out of this school.
00:14:09 Yeah, I know that. That's why I'm here. I was hoping you would work with me.
00:14:13 I already got a job, mister. I got two jobs and four kids and a brother on parole.
00:14:18 I'm late for work.
00:14:20 [Baby crying]
00:14:25 [Music]
00:14:29 [Music]
00:14:33 [Music]
00:14:59 [Music]
00:15:02 [Music]
00:15:17 Morning.
00:15:23 Nice to see you, Tayshon.
00:15:25 Good morning, Principal Turner.
00:15:29 Okay, good morning.
00:15:31 Oh, hello. I'm Ron Clark. I guess I'll be teaching you.
00:15:37 Yeah.
00:15:38 [School bell]
00:15:45 Anyway, so, I'm going to go get my little kids.
00:15:48 Where are you going to get them?
00:15:49 I'm going to get my little kids.
00:15:50 No, I'm not.
00:15:51 No, I'm not.
00:15:52 Oh, shit.
00:15:53 Oh, shit.
00:15:55 Yo, dream big about what? Big butts?
00:15:59 Dream about your mama.
00:16:02 [Groaning]
00:16:04 Take your seats.
00:16:05 Yo, teacher. Shemekka's feeling sick today.
00:16:08 Yeah, sick of damn teachers.
00:16:11 [Groaning]
00:16:12 Okay, because this is our first day, I have a surprise for all of you.
00:16:20 What?
00:16:22 I'll tell you, Julio, if you turn around.
00:16:24 Today, there will be no schoolwork.
00:16:29 [Groaning]
00:16:31 Shemekka, don't do that.
00:16:34 Shemekka, don't.
00:16:42 Well, what? What are you going to do? Suspend me? Go ahead, suspend me. I want to leave.
00:16:47 [Groaning]
00:16:49 Right. Right.
00:16:50 Hey, look, the fool's leaving already.
00:16:55 Sit down.
00:17:00 You see this?
00:17:10 This means that this year is going to be different.
00:17:13 This year is going to be about more than school.
00:17:16 This year, we are going to be a family.
00:17:20 But you don't look nothing like me.
00:17:22 I'm going to be your family, and you are going to be my family.
00:17:29 And that means that I am not leaving, and you are not leaving.
00:17:34 Do you have any lip gloss?
00:17:44 Yeah, we're going to keep it.
00:17:46 [Indistinct chatter]
00:17:50 I'm telling you.
00:17:54 [Door slams]
00:17:58 [Indistinct chatter]
00:18:00 [Indistinct chatter]
00:18:18 [Gunshot]
00:18:24 Don't shoot him!
00:18:27 [Indistinct chatter]
00:18:29 What the hell?
00:18:34 Whoa.
00:18:38 Blue.
00:18:39 I think I'll paint him blue.
00:18:40 Oh, nasty.
00:18:42 [Indistinct chatter]
00:18:45 Well, what do you think?
00:18:47 We think it looks stupid.
00:18:49 Who vandalized this room?
00:18:53 I did, sir.
00:18:57 [Sighs]
00:18:58 Mr. Clark, this sort of stunt may have gone over big in Aurora,
00:19:03 but it doesn't work for me.
00:19:05 My school, my rules, my way.
00:19:09 [Bell rings]
00:19:16 All right. Oh! Put your gum in here.
00:19:19 Gum in here.
00:19:20 Hurry up!
00:19:21 All the gum in this jar. The gum jar.
00:19:23 Come on.
00:19:24 [Indistinct chatter]
00:19:26 Come on.
00:19:27 Right in here.
00:19:28 Hey, no, I see you. Come on. Right in there.
00:19:30 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
00:19:52 Okay. To your left. Left. More left.
00:19:55 They're just testing you. They want to see if you really care.
00:19:58 See if I care? They weren't even looking at me.
00:20:00 Well, one of them was, but I think he was picturing me in a dark alley.
00:20:03 We have to turn this...
00:20:04 Ow! Ow, ow!
00:20:06 Do these legs come down?
00:20:08 All right.
00:20:09 I think it looks good right there.
00:20:11 You know, school's supposed to be exciting.
00:20:13 Okay.
00:20:14 Now you sound like one of those dumbass commercials
00:20:17 that used to come on at the cartoons on Saturday morning.
00:20:19 So, what, you didn't like school?
00:20:21 School sucked. I hated it.
00:20:23 Yeah, well, if I was your teacher, you would have loved it.
00:20:26 Ron, just relax.
00:20:34 Step away from the table.
00:20:36 Yeah, that's what I was doing.
00:20:42 So, now that you helped me move,
00:20:48 I guess I have to be your "drive you to the airport, feed you fish,
00:20:51 never forget your birthday" kind of friend.
00:20:53 Uh, not to mention my "cover my weekend shift
00:20:55 because I'm going to L.A. with Jason" friend.
00:20:58 He's gonna meet some producers.
00:21:00 You know, he's trying to get out of the daytime heartthrob thing.
00:21:03 So, how long you two been going out?
00:21:06 Almost two years.
00:21:09 Oh.
00:21:11 I mean, we're not living together or anything.
00:21:14 He's busy, I'm busy.
00:21:17 But it's good.
00:21:19 Yeah, it sounds good.
00:21:21 All right, well, we got three hours before our shift.
00:21:24 Who's hungry?
00:21:26 Oh, so you're a union mover.
00:21:28 This is gonna cost me a pizza, huh?
00:21:30 Can I have your attention, please?
00:21:34 [bell ringing]
00:21:35 Before we start today, I would like to go over three rules for this class.
00:21:39 If you follow them, we will all have a lot of fun.
00:21:42 [students agreeing]
00:21:44 If you do not follow them, there will be consequences.
00:21:48 [students booing]
00:21:50 You all remember rule number one?
00:21:52 We are a family.
00:21:55 Give me a damn break, man.
00:21:57 We're not in kindergarten.
00:21:58 That means we help each other out.
00:22:00 We stand up for each other.
00:22:02 We defend each other.
00:22:04 Sir?
00:22:05 Rule number two, we respect each other.
00:22:09 [students agreeing]
00:22:11 You will call me "sir," not "man," not "dog," not "fool."
00:22:16 If you are asked a question, you will say "yes, sir" or "no, sir,"
00:22:19 not "yip," "nope," "uh-uh," "nuh-uh."
00:22:23 Uh, nuh-uh, fool.
00:22:25 Respect, Julio Vasquez.
00:22:27 You will not talk unless I call on you.
00:22:30 If I am talking, you are listening with your eyes right here.
00:22:36 Rule number three, we will form a line to enter and exit class and go to lunch.
00:22:42 Come on.
00:22:44 Are you kidding me?
00:22:46 Shemeika?
00:22:47 What?
00:22:48 What, sir?
00:22:51 Oh, Shemeika, thank you.
00:22:54 For what?
00:22:55 Reminding me about rule number four,
00:22:57 no smacking of lips and rolling of the eyes.
00:23:00 If you break one of these rules, your name will go up on the board.
00:23:04 So stupid.
00:23:06 If you break another rule, you will get a check.
00:23:10 Come on.
00:23:11 If you break a third rule...
00:23:13 [all groan]
00:23:16 Hey.
00:23:21 Hmm.
00:23:22 Hi.
00:23:24 What you reading?
00:23:26 Nothing.
00:23:28 I didn't read that book till high school.
00:23:33 [indistinct chatter]
00:23:36 What's Julio doing?
00:23:41 Taking bets.
00:23:45 On you.
00:23:47 On me?
00:23:48 When you're gonna quit.
00:23:51 My source of the day is gonna be gone by Friday.
00:23:53 Gambling is illegal, especially when you're 12.
00:23:57 And by the way, I'm not leaving.
00:23:59 Yo, come on, dog.
00:24:01 You're not supposed to make some paper, are you?
00:24:03 Boy, something smells really good in here.
00:24:06 Could I ask a favor of you ladies?
00:24:08 I just wanted to, uh, you know, if--
00:24:10 Dr. King talked about justice rolling down like waters.
00:24:14 Here, pass these around, guys.
00:24:15 And righteousness like a mighty stream.
00:24:18 It's like on a hot day when you go outside
00:24:22 and whoosh, somebody opens up a fire hydrant
00:24:24 and there's water streaming all over the place
00:24:26 and everybody's running around and going crazy.
00:24:28 That's what Dr. King wanted justice and freedom to feel like.
00:24:33 So, tonight, after we've gone over Dr. King's speech,
00:24:37 I want you all to start a journal
00:24:39 about your dreams and aspirations.
00:24:41 [all sigh]
00:24:42 [school bell rings]
00:24:44 [indistinct chatter]
00:24:46 Hey, man, it's Locke. What's up?
00:24:48 Rule number three, we all line up to go to the lunchroom.
00:24:52 [all groan]
00:24:54 You know what? Here's my rule.
00:24:56 I ain't standing no line.
00:24:58 Oh, okay, Shemekka.
00:25:00 But because we are all a family,
00:25:03 if one of us doesn't get in line for the lunchroom,
00:25:06 then none of us gets lunch.
00:25:08 [all groan]
00:25:10 [indistinct chatter]
00:25:12 Mr. Locke, we're sorry.
00:25:14 [indistinct chatter]
00:25:16 Shemekka, just do it.
00:25:18 [upbeat music]
00:25:20 [school bell rings]
00:25:22 [door opens]
00:25:24 Very quietly, two lines right up against the wall.
00:25:29 That's good.
00:25:31 That's good. Nice and quiet.
00:25:34 Oh, looks like somebody's not hungry.
00:25:37 [indistinct chatter]
00:25:39 Stop fighting. Let's go.
00:25:42 [upbeat music]
00:25:44 [school bell rings]
00:25:46 No talking.
00:25:48 [school bell rings]
00:25:50 [school bell rings]
00:25:52 And stop.
00:25:54 Shemekka, did you cut in line?
00:26:00 No, sir, I did not.
00:26:02 You do know that I have eyes in the back of my head, right?
00:26:06 I was here. Ask her.
00:26:09 Stupid.
00:26:11 All right, we're all gonna stand here
00:26:16 until Shemekka decides to tell the truth.
00:26:19 [all groan]
00:26:21 I didn't cut in no line.
00:26:24 Hey, you're in Mr. Clark's class. No food.
00:26:31 [sighs]
00:26:33 Yo, come on, Mr. Clark, I'm starving, man.
00:26:38 I'm about to faint out in four--
00:26:40 Get to the back of the line. And take that hat off.
00:26:43 [groans]
00:26:45 It's up to you whether we eat or not.
00:26:50 [indistinct chatter]
00:26:53 Shemekka, this is a family,
00:26:57 and families treat each other with respect.
00:27:00 They never, ever lie to one another.
00:27:03 Did you cut in line?
00:27:08 Come on, Shemekka. Let's go.
00:27:14 [indistinct chatter]
00:27:20 We are all just waiting...
00:27:23 on you.
00:27:25 Yeah.
00:27:29 Thank you.
00:27:33 Now, what is rule number five?
00:27:37 No cutting in line.
00:27:40 That's right. Now go eat.
00:27:42 [indistinct chatter]
00:27:45 I'm proud of you.
00:27:47 Thanks a lot, Shemekka.
00:27:49 Yeah. I'm starving now.
00:27:51 Uh-huh.
00:27:53 Yes, Mom, I miss you too.
00:27:55 Yeah, I know there's a job for me back home,
00:28:00 but things are going very well here.
00:28:02 Well, it took the kids a little while to warm up to me.
00:28:06 Yeah.
00:28:08 Honestly, we're getting along great.
00:28:12 [clattering]
00:28:14 [âȘâȘâȘ]
00:28:22 [âȘâȘâȘ]
00:28:25 [gunshot]
00:28:51 [indistinct chatter]
00:28:54 [alarm beeping]
00:28:57 I want you all to take a good look around
00:29:06 at your new clean room.
00:29:09 [indistinct chatter]
00:29:11 Whatever.
00:29:13 I'm not going to ask who wrecked it.
00:29:16 [laughter]
00:29:18 I'm going to ask you guys right here.
00:29:21 I was hoping we could have fun this year,
00:29:27 and I think that we still can,
00:29:29 but only after you learn to follow all of my rules.
00:29:34 [snaps fingers]
00:29:36 And you will follow all of my rules.
00:29:40 [snaps fingers]
00:29:42 First of all, keep breathing.
00:29:45 Take your seats. Call me sir.
00:29:47 Too many damn rules, man.
00:29:49 Telling us how to do this and do that.
00:29:51 Making us walk around in a damn line.
00:29:53 He ain't my daddy.
00:29:55 He could be your daddy. You don't know.
00:29:57 You should talk, girl.
00:29:59 Excuse me. Shut up.
00:30:01 All I'm saying is, this is our school, right?
00:30:04 We do what we want.
00:30:06 Yeah, 'cause he's just going to leave anyways.
00:30:08 That's what you said last week, girl. He's still here.
00:30:11 You wait. Keep going.
00:30:14 I hope not.
00:30:16 What? I like Mr. Clark.
00:30:20 That's 'cause you're from a foreign country and you don't know how we do here.
00:30:23 How do we do?
00:30:26 Do like us, baby. You wanna be like us, you gotta do like we do.
00:30:31 Come on.
00:30:33 Yo, yo, let's go, let's go. Yo, yo, let's go, let's go.
00:30:38 Hey, hey, Ron Pod must go. Hey, hey, Ron Pod must go.
00:30:42 Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.
00:30:47 Strawberry shortcake, cream on top.
00:30:52 Tell me the name of your sweet.
00:30:55 Is it A, B, C, D, K?
00:31:00 Hey, that's really good. Shemekka, you're really good at this.
00:31:04 Yo, go back and get it.
00:31:07 Go back and get it.
00:31:35 Get out of your seat.
00:31:36 What?
00:31:38 Yeah, go to your room, Julio.
00:31:40 Hey, who's talking to you?
00:31:42 No, was I talking to you?
00:31:43 You gonna hit me?
00:31:45 No, but you did break rule number two. You gonna hit me, sir.
00:31:50 Hey, get off me, dog.
00:31:53 Yo, you think that's funny?
00:31:55 Shemekka, you're in charge.
00:31:58 What?
00:32:00 Hey, John. Look, don't do this. Hey.
00:32:05 Look, I know you have two stripes. You walk out now, they'll expel you for sure. Just get back in there.
00:32:11 Why?
00:32:12 Because I would miss your glowing personality.
00:32:15 Mr. Turner doesn't have to know anything about this. Just give yourself another chance.
00:32:24 [Dogs barking]
00:32:26 Hey, you still cool with helping me move my new dress on Saturday?
00:32:40 Yes, definitely.
00:32:41 I mean, Jason would help, but you've got the fly blue car, so...
00:32:44 Is this supposed to be well done?
00:32:46 It is well done.
00:32:47 What are you talking about? It's rare.
00:32:49 Fine, I'll burn it. Just take out the rest of the orders.
00:32:52 I know how to do my job.
00:32:53 Congratulations.
00:32:55 On what?
00:32:57 Officially becoming a New Yorker.
00:32:59 You ready?
00:33:01 Oh, yeah, babe. I'll be right there.
00:33:03 Well, you better go.
00:33:05 Hey. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't kick the parsley.
00:33:09 Thank you.
00:33:11 Raquel Arenas.
00:33:15 Raquel, do you have your journal?
00:33:21 No.
00:33:22 Alita Sanchez.
00:33:26 Shemekia Wallace.
00:33:30 Shemekia, did you bring your Dr. King journal?
00:33:34 Nope. Got no dreams to keep.
00:33:37 Badria.
00:33:41 Julio Vasquez.
00:33:45 Sorry, I couldn't get to it, boss.
00:33:47 Why are you all doing this?
00:33:49 Got better things to do, yo.
00:33:52 Oops. My bad.
00:33:54 Forgot to say, yo, sir. Guess I get a check.
00:33:58 You want to get a detention?
00:34:01 You know, I really, really like your nail polish.
00:34:05 Thank you. My mama...
00:34:06 Look at me when I talk to you.
00:34:08 My double bad. Another time.
00:34:10 I'm sorry.
00:34:12 I'm sorry.
00:34:15 Not double bad. Another check.
00:34:17 Look at me when I talk to you!
00:34:19 Go to hell!
00:34:44 You win.
00:34:45 - You did it, girl.
00:34:47 - Bounce.
00:34:48 Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce!
00:34:50 Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce!
00:34:53 Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce!
00:34:55 Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce!
00:34:58 Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce!
00:35:00 (crowd cheering)
00:35:03 - Hey!
00:35:13 What happened?
00:35:14 Why aren't you in school, kid?
00:35:16 - I don't wanna talk about it.
00:35:18 Just show me New York.
00:35:20 I've been here for three months.
00:35:21 I haven't seen a damn thing.
00:35:23 - Today?
00:35:24 All right, let's go see some damn things.
00:35:28 - You know, when I was a kid,
00:35:39 I used to call it the entire state building.
00:35:41 (laughing)
00:35:43 - That's cute.
00:35:44 Okay, you know what?
00:35:45 We walked the entire island in a monsoon.
00:35:48 I bought you three pretzels and two hot dogs.
00:35:49 Now you're gonna do something for me.
00:35:51 - Anything.
00:35:52 - Tell me what happened.
00:35:54 - I shook a desk with a 12-year-old kid in it.
00:36:02 I wanted to throw it and her right out the window.
00:36:06 - Well, they've seen that kind of manga before.
00:36:11 - Well, not from me.
00:36:11 I totally lost it.
00:36:13 - What, you feel helpless?
00:36:17 They feel that way every day.
00:36:18 - These kids can do anything I'm asking them to do.
00:36:22 More.
00:36:22 They just won't.
00:36:24 So,
00:36:27 today I gave up.
00:36:30 - Don't give up, Arne.
00:36:36 - Oh, yeah?
00:36:38 How long has it been since you've auditioned?
00:36:41 - I don't know.
00:36:41 Two years and seven months.
00:36:48 What, Broadway's not gonna miss me if I'm gone.
00:36:53 Those kids, they'll miss you.
00:36:55 Maybe you can be that one guy
00:36:59 that turns it around for them.
00:37:01 (school bell ringing)
00:37:05 - Mr. Clark was crazy mad on Friday, you know?
00:37:07 I think he's gone for good.
00:37:09 - I say we should just all go home.
00:37:10 - Think so? - Yeah.
00:37:11 - Well, thanks for your advice, son,
00:37:13 but if Mr. Clark isn't in his class,
00:37:14 I'm sure we can find someone to cover for him.
00:37:16 - Why we gotta do that?
00:37:19 - Good morning, Julio.
00:37:22 Mr. Turner.
00:37:24 Fool came back.
00:37:25 - Fool did indeed.
00:37:26 - What's he doing?
00:37:33 - He's crazy.
00:37:33 - Everybody take a look around.
00:37:38 Within these four walls, you can be strangers
00:37:42 or you can be a family.
00:37:43 Within these four walls can be the end of your story
00:37:50 or you can make it a beginning.
00:37:53 A beginning that is better than anything
00:37:59 you ever imagined possible.
00:38:01 Since I got here, you have not listened to me once.
00:38:07 - Yeah.
00:38:08 - So, here's the deal.
00:38:10 Today, we are going to learn grammar.
00:38:13 (audience murmurs)
00:38:15 If you are quiet and you listen,
00:38:18 every 15 seconds, I will drink a chocolate milk.
00:38:23 If you can do it, you may get to see me puke.
00:38:27 (audience murmurs)
00:38:30 So, do we have a deal?
00:38:31 - Yeah! - Okay, good.
00:38:34 Julio. - Yes?
00:38:35 - This.
00:38:36 - Yes.
00:38:37 - This is not for you to eat.
00:38:39 I want you to watch the clock
00:38:41 and every 15 seconds, bang the jar with the ruler.
00:38:45 Like that.
00:38:46 - All right.
00:38:47 - When I hear the gong, I will slam down one of these.
00:38:54 The time starts now.
00:39:02 Every sentence has a subject and a verb.
00:39:07 - What the hell's a boomerang?
00:39:16 - Shut up, Alito.
00:39:18 - I guess you guys don't want to see me
00:39:19 drink all the chocolate milk.
00:39:21 The verb expresses action in the sentence.
00:39:28 (bell dings)
00:39:31 (audience murmurs)
00:39:33 - Shh.
00:39:39 (upbeat music)
00:39:45 (bell dings)
00:39:49 (audience laughs)
00:39:55 In this sentence,
00:39:58 (bell dings)
00:40:00 (audience murmurs)
00:40:15 - Whoa.
00:40:25 (audience laughs)
00:40:27 (audience cheers)
00:40:30 - Now, can anybody tell me the verb in this sentence?
00:40:39 - Feels?
00:40:50 - Yes, yes.
00:40:51 - You gonna puke now, Mr. Clark?
00:40:52 - Yes.
00:40:53 (audience laughs)
00:40:56 (audience gasps)
00:41:01 (audience gasps)
00:41:05 - Ew.
00:41:08 (audience gasps)
00:41:12 (bell dings)
00:41:16 - Yeah, come on.
00:41:18 Keep going.
00:41:21 (audience murmurs)
00:41:24 - Hey, can you guys teach me how to do that?
00:41:27 (audience laughs)
00:41:30 Oh, you don't think I can learn how to do that?
00:41:32 - No.
00:41:33 - Okay, all right, I'll make you a deal.
00:41:34 If I learn how to double dutch,
00:41:36 then you guys gotta learn something from me.
00:41:38 - What?
00:41:39 - Everything you need to know for the seventh grade.
00:41:41 (audience murmurs)
00:41:44 - Hi.
00:41:48 So, you gonna jump?
00:41:50 - Yeah.
00:41:52 (audience murmurs)
00:41:55 - Okay, okay, okay, can you just go a little slower?
00:41:59 - Nuh-uh.
00:42:00 You gotta do like rigid.
00:42:02 (upbeat music)
00:42:06 (audience laughs)
00:42:12 - All right, all right.
00:42:13 Ready, set, go.
00:42:14 (upbeat music)
00:42:19 (audience laughs)
00:42:22 - Come on, man.
00:42:26 You ain't dancing, you're jumping.
00:42:28 Oh, come on now.
00:42:29 (audience cheers)
00:42:35 (upbeat music)
00:42:39 - Hey.
00:42:44 (upbeat music)
00:42:47 (audience cheers)
00:42:50 - Hey, Mr. Turner, this is fun.
00:42:56 - You really think it appropriate
00:42:57 to do this with the students?
00:42:58 - Well, I'm certainly not gonna double dutch with you.
00:43:01 (audience laughs)
00:43:03 - I am.
00:43:08 The year's half over.
00:43:09 I gave you this class so you could drill
00:43:11 some baby fat into their heads.
00:43:13 - These kids are at the bottom of the barrel.
00:43:15 - Don't talk about them like that.
00:43:17 Now, all I'm asking is for your students to pass.
00:43:20 - Oh, every one of my students will pass.
00:43:22 - What?
00:43:23 - I'm not gonna pass.
00:43:23 - Good.
00:43:24 They can become somebody else's problems.
00:43:26 - The problem isn't the kids.
00:43:27 It's not even what they can achieve.
00:43:29 The problem is what you expect them to achieve.
00:43:32 You are setting the bar here.
00:43:35 Why?
00:43:35 Set it up here.
00:43:36 They can make it.
00:43:37 - This community judges us by scores.
00:43:39 Government funding judges us by scores.
00:43:41 People who give me scores, they get my respect.
00:43:44 - Okay, good.
00:43:45 In May, they'll all test at grade level.
00:43:47 - I don't see how that's possible.
00:43:50 - No, I'm sorry.
00:43:51 Did I say grade level?
00:43:52 I meant above grade level.
00:43:54 Every single one of those kids in that class
00:43:56 just wants your respect.
00:43:57 Hell, I want your respect.
00:43:59 - You want my respect?
00:44:00 Stop acting like a 12-year-old.
00:44:02 - I always wanted to go rock climbing,
00:44:07 but there I was on the edge of this cliff,
00:44:09 ropes on me, and my friends are yelling,
00:44:12 "Jump, jump, jump!"
00:44:13 And I look down, and it is a long way down.
00:44:18 So I'm on the cliff, and I'm yelling,
00:44:21 "I can't, I can't, I can't!"
00:44:22 And my friends are yelling, "Yes, you can!
00:44:24 "You can do it!
00:44:24 "Jump, jump, jump!"
00:44:25 And I did.
00:44:27 I thought I was going to die,
00:44:32 but when I jumped out, it felt like I was flying.
00:44:37 I did something that I never thought I could do,
00:44:41 and it was pretty cool.
00:44:43 Now, you guys may not know this,
00:44:45 but in this classroom, we're rock climbing every day.
00:44:48 We are climbing up and up and up,
00:44:51 and we are there, and now it's time to jump.
00:44:54 Now, I know you're scared, but I want you to do it.
00:45:01 I want you to jump.
00:45:03 I want you guys to feel what it's like to fly.
00:45:09 So, I want each of you to come up here
00:45:12 and light one of these candles.
00:45:15 Okay, come on up, guys.
00:45:17 And when you light a candle,
00:45:21 it symbolizes that we are joined together.
00:45:24 And if you trust me,
00:45:25 you can learn more than you ever dreamed of.
00:45:31 And that's a promise.
00:45:33 (gentle music)
00:45:35 (bell ringing)
00:46:01 (bell ringing)
00:46:03 The Revolutionary War, industrialism,
00:46:07 the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement.
00:46:11 I want you all to get the great,
00:46:15 big picture of American history.
00:46:18 That's why this year, we're gonna learn
00:46:20 all 42 presidents of the United States in order.
00:46:24 (audience gasping)
00:46:25 No, no, no, once you know the presidents,
00:46:28 it'll be easy to remember what and when.
00:46:32 (paper rustling)
00:46:35 Come on.
00:46:44 None of you passed the test.
00:46:58 And there's going to be punishment.
00:47:00 I want you to pass these all around.
00:47:07 (upbeat music)
00:47:17 (upbeat music)
00:47:20 Now let's get down to some presidential learning.
00:47:31 We'll start with George Washington,
00:47:32 straight from Mount Vernon.
00:47:34 First president and commander in chief
00:47:36 fought the Revolutionary War so we could be free.
00:47:39 John Adams was second, Thomas Jefferson third.
00:47:42 When we fought for independence, their voices were heard.
00:47:45 When in the course of human events,
00:47:48 we took a stand and we've been doing it since.
00:47:50 It's a tribute to the leaders of the USA.
00:47:54 It's a president's rap, all right, all right, okay, okay.
00:47:58 (audience cheering)
00:48:03 âȘ It's a tribute to the leaders of the USA âȘ
00:48:10 âȘ It's a president's rap âȘ
00:48:11 âȘ It's a president's rap, all right, all right âȘ
00:48:14 âȘ Okay, okay âȘ
00:48:17 âȘ It's a tribute to the leaders of the USA âȘ
00:48:22 âȘ It's a president's rap, all right, all right âȘ
00:48:24 âȘ Okay, okay âȘ
00:48:27 All right, back to your seats.
00:48:29 Back, back, back to your seats.
00:48:30 Ready?
00:48:31 âȘ It's a president's rap, all right, all right âȘ
00:48:35 âȘ Okay, okay âȘ
00:48:38 R to the O to the nizzle.
00:48:41 R to the O to the nizzle.
00:48:43 R to the nizzle.
00:48:45 R to the O.
00:48:46 The kizzle?
00:48:50 Thank you, Mr. Clark.
00:48:52 Here you go.
00:48:52 This is my first A.
00:48:54 You got an A, good job.
00:48:55 Show me a kizzle.
00:48:58 Thank you, Mr. Clark.
00:49:00 Here you go, man.
00:49:03 I told you.
00:49:04 Oh my God, you got an A too.
00:49:05 Straight up.
00:49:06 Now, give it up for your sizzle selves.
00:49:09 (audience applauding)
00:49:11 It's okay to be proud of yourself
00:49:13 for doing well on a test.
00:49:15 (school bell ringing)
00:49:17 Come on, let's go.
00:49:18 Oh my God, you got number 13 right, right?
00:49:22 You hold up for a minute?
00:49:26 I wanted to ask a favor of you.
00:49:32 Me?
00:49:34 Could you after your pockets, please?
00:49:35 I believe this constitutes an illegal search, sir.
00:49:39 Right on the desk.
00:49:40 (audience chattering)
00:49:43 That morning at your house, your mother's purse?
00:50:00 No, no, you see, you got it all wrong.
00:50:02 Me and her have this deal, you know?
00:50:03 I take care of her and she takes care of me.
00:50:06 You see?
00:50:07 No, I don't.
00:50:09 But you got to tell me that crime doesn't pay.
00:50:11 Sometimes it costs.
00:50:13 And in this case, three one-hour study sessions with me.
00:50:16 I mean, for real,
00:50:24 you should be working for us, little brother.
00:50:26 Hey, see, make yourself some easy money, man.
00:50:29 I got enough trouble.
00:50:30 Man don't care about no kid.
00:50:33 He's too busy to take you down, see, I'm telling you.
00:50:36 Tayshaun!
00:50:38 (dog barking)
00:50:41 You have five-0, son, what's up?
00:50:42 No, no, man, he ain't no police.
00:50:43 He just some fool, man, I'll handle him.
00:50:45 Don't worry, y'all.
00:50:45 I got this.
00:50:46 Yeah, some fool and his son is honorable.
00:50:48 Trust that.
00:50:49 You okay?
00:50:57 Yeah, I'm cool.
00:50:59 I wanted to bring you this.
00:51:02 (dog barking)
00:51:05 Here.
00:51:10 You can bring up your math and English
00:51:14 with some extra help.
00:51:16 Tomorrow's Saturday,
00:51:17 I can meet you at the coffee shop by the school.
00:51:19 I'll buy you lunch.
00:51:20 I'll be there at noon.
00:51:29 Noon.
00:51:32 (soft music)
00:51:34 Can I take that now?
00:51:41 Too bad he didn't show up.
00:51:42 Here I am, not even two o'clock.
00:51:59 I'm early, sir.
00:52:00 Time for study session numero tres.
00:52:02 Okay, then we get three cards up on the flop.
00:52:16 And then we get another two cards up.
00:52:19 Okay, so that's five cards up.
00:52:20 Can you add those for me?
00:52:22 Yeah, we gotta bet first.
00:52:24 I bet five fake dollars.
00:52:27 Well, I'll call.
00:52:30 And that's 36.
00:52:32 That's good.
00:52:34 Now what's the square root of that?
00:52:35 Well, oh, square root.
00:52:38 Okay, I think the square root is...
00:52:40 What number multiplied by itself gives you 36?
00:52:44 Six.
00:52:48 That's good.
00:52:49 So what you got?
00:52:52 Pair of sevens.
00:52:53 Well, I guess I get all the chips
00:52:55 because I got three tens.
00:52:57 Pay up, dog.
00:52:58 Wanna go again?
00:52:59 Yeah, sure.
00:53:00 All right.
00:53:01 Shemekka Wallace,
00:53:07 didn't we have an appointment after school today?
00:53:10 Must've slipped my mind.
00:53:11 We have to talk about you turning in your homework.
00:53:14 I told you.
00:53:16 The fire alarm keeps going off in my building.
00:53:18 Three times this week?
00:53:19 Get busy, forget it.
00:53:28 Last night I just didn't do a good enough job.
00:53:30 Would you like to show me your homework?
00:53:32 I'm sure I can help you with it.
00:53:34 This is really close.
00:53:47 We can fix this.
00:53:48 Yeah?
00:53:49 For reals?
00:53:52 Sure, we can work on it right now.
00:53:54 There's a few spelling mistakes
00:53:55 and just arrange some of the paragraphs
00:53:57 differently.
00:53:58 Yeah.
00:53:59 She's been salty and fussy all day.
00:54:09 I think Mindy's gonna see her.
00:54:12 Okay.
00:54:13 Thank you, Mrs. Benson.
00:54:15 Mr. Clark, I can't work on my paper right now.
00:54:18 I gotta go make dinner.
00:54:20 I'll do it.
00:54:21 You'll do what?
00:54:22 I'll make dinner and you work on your paper.
00:54:25 Okay?
00:54:27 Okay.
00:54:27 Start with that third paragraph.
00:54:29 Hi.
00:54:30 Okay, where's the food?
00:54:33 Dinner's served.
00:54:39 I'm trying to concentrate.
00:54:41 Concentrate later, dinner's served.
00:54:43 I tried like you said.
00:54:46 I moved the third paragraph and it sounds really good.
00:54:49 Okay, now that's for you.
00:54:52 And who gets the baby food?
00:54:54 Peter.
00:54:55 Okay, you're gonna like this.
00:54:56 This looks really good.
00:54:58 What's he doing here?
00:55:04 He made us dinner.
00:55:07 You don't think I can take care of my family, Mr. Clark?
00:55:12 No, yes.
00:55:14 Please, leave my house.
00:55:21 (door creaking)
00:55:23 I come home to find him in my kitchen
00:55:38 cooking for my family.
00:55:40 This girl has a job to do.
00:55:41 Ms. Wallace, can we please not talk about Shemekka
00:55:43 like she's not in the room?
00:55:44 I'll talk any way I want.
00:55:46 I send my daughter to school to be educated.
00:55:48 I don't expect a teacher to bring school up in my house.
00:55:50 It's called homework.
00:55:52 Excuse me?
00:55:53 She has too much of it to be babysitting all the time.
00:55:56 Mr. Clark.
00:55:57 Shemekka has more potential than any kid in my class.
00:56:00 Why can't you see that?
00:56:02 How dare you?
00:56:03 How are you gonna tell me what I should
00:56:04 and should not see in my daughter?
00:56:06 I'm merely suggesting that you give her a chance.
00:56:10 I'm taking my child home now.
00:56:15 The white tornado here better not be teaching
00:56:16 at this school when I bring her back tomorrow.
00:56:18 Ms. Wallace, I can assure you,
00:56:19 I will deal with this situation.
00:56:21 Come on, Shemekka.
00:56:23 Please don't fire Mr. Clark.
00:56:26 He was just trying to help me, Mama.
00:56:31 He was just trying to help.
00:56:32 It's okay.
00:56:34 Please don't leave because of me, Mr. Clark.
00:56:38 (sniffling)
00:56:41 Ms. Wallace, wait.
00:56:56 I'll meet you outside.
00:56:58 Why are you doing this?
00:56:59 You gave her these grand ideas
00:57:00 and this world's just gonna crush her down.
00:57:03 I don't believe that.
00:57:04 She's just gonna drop into our life
00:57:06 and now you know all about it, right?
00:57:07 I just know she's a great student.
00:57:09 A born leader, creative, intelligent.
00:57:12 Shemekka, my Shemekka.
00:57:15 Yes.
00:57:17 If she tests well enough in May,
00:57:18 I think we might be able to get her
00:57:19 into Manhattan West for middle school.
00:57:22 That's for gifted kids.
00:57:24 Maybe Ms. Benton can keep the boys
00:57:34 a little longer every day.
00:57:35 Okay.
00:57:36 Okay.
00:57:38 Okay.
00:57:41 Good morning, Mr. Clark.
00:57:57 Good morning.
00:57:59 Good morning, Mr. Clark.
00:58:01 Come, Mr. Clark.
00:58:04 Don't you do this?
00:58:05 Good morning, Mr. Clark.
00:58:07 You like it, Mr. Clark?
00:58:08 It's really good.
00:58:10 You got quite a talent for this.
00:58:11 Well, it's one of my minis, Doug.
00:58:14 Sir.
00:58:17 Thanks.
00:58:19 Good morning.
00:58:20 (footsteps)
00:58:22 Yo, what up, Tae?
00:58:37 Don't you like me, Mr. Clark?
00:58:43 Yeah, man, don't hate on me 'cause I got skills.
00:58:45 Skills?
00:58:46 You mean being a straight up punk?
00:58:47 You real good at that?
00:58:49 Yo, come on, Tae, just chill out.
00:58:51 You're telling me to chill, homie?
00:58:53 You're telling me to chill?
00:58:54 Come on, man.
00:58:55 I mean, Mr. Clark likes that art crap, okay?
00:58:57 So he thought I did it and I just went with it.
00:58:59 (punching)
00:59:03 I ain't gonna do anything that I'm sorry.
00:59:05 (punching)
00:59:17 Superintendent Stevens has joined us
00:59:18 to determine if Tayshaun Mitchell should be expelled
00:59:20 from Inner Harlem Elementary.
00:59:22 I vote yes.
00:59:24 Send him to juvie.
00:59:25 This isn't a democracy, Mr. Brampton.
00:59:28 Howard, would you let Mr. Turner finish what he was saying?
00:59:31 You're his foster parent.
00:59:33 You got the say here.
00:59:34 We don't need his lazy ass around the house all day.
00:59:38 What did you just say?
00:59:46 Look, if we expel him, he's only gonna fall further behind.
00:59:49 Mr. Clark, our students can't simply do what they want
00:59:52 with no consequences.
00:59:53 What about the consequences for Tayshaun?
00:59:55 We are supposed to be keeping these kids in school.
00:59:58 That's all.
01:00:02 Take a step back.
01:00:03 Remember that I have eyes in the back of my head,
01:00:07 so stop fighting.
01:00:08 This is not a test.
01:00:14 This is my phone number.
01:00:17 I want you guys to call me if you have any questions
01:00:19 about homework, need any advice, or you are in trouble.
01:00:23 That's 24/7.
01:00:25 Pick up your math workbooks at the front of the class,
01:00:31 and we have a book report due tomorrow.
01:00:35 Remember, there's two variables in this equation, okay?
01:00:43 So x equals, x equals, come on, Tayshaun, you can do this.
01:00:48 - You know what you owe me, man.
01:00:50 X equals 3/8.
01:00:59 - Yes, oh, that's great.
01:01:01 Just keep doing it like that.
01:01:02 (coughing)
01:01:09 (coughing)
01:01:11 - This doesn't sound good.
01:01:35 How long you been this way?
01:01:38 - A week, maybe more.
01:01:39 - Well, you have pneumonia.
01:01:41 I can send you home, but you'd be confined to bed rest
01:01:43 for two weeks, minimum.
01:01:44 - Yeah, I can't do that.
01:01:47 - Or I can admit you to the hospital right now, Mr. Clark.
01:01:50 (alarm beeping)
01:02:01 (alarm beeping)
01:02:04 (bell ringing)
01:02:14 - Okay, everybody, take your seats.
01:02:17 - Mr. Clark, you look really white.
01:02:22 - Yeah, even more than usual.
01:02:23 - We have four, four weeks.
01:02:31 Now, I know that doesn't seem like a lot of time,
01:02:33 but if we work really hard,
01:02:34 I know we're gonna do great on these exams.
01:02:37 So, let's go over our science topics from last week.
01:02:43 Who knows those?
01:02:44 (coughing)
01:02:47 - Magnetism, chemical reactions, and gravity.
01:02:53 - Okay, good, gravity.
01:02:55 - Gravity is important because...
01:03:00 (laughing)
01:03:05 - Okay, we get it, Mr. Clark.
01:03:07 Gravity makes you fall down.
01:03:09 Mr. Clark?
01:03:17 Mr. Clark?
01:03:20 (chattering)
01:03:22 - I hope he's all right.
01:03:36 (siren blaring)
01:03:46 (siren blaring)
01:03:49 - Okay, you on me?
01:03:56 - Yeah.
01:03:57 - Very nice of Jason to let me borrow the camera.
01:04:01 - Oh, he's happy to help.
01:04:02 How much are we taping?
01:04:04 - Four hours.
01:04:05 - Four hours?
01:04:06 Every day?
01:04:08 - Yeah, kids need it.
01:04:09 It'll go quick.
01:04:10 - For you.
01:04:13 - Hey, Mariss.
01:04:16 - Thank you.
01:04:17 - Wait, come over here.
01:04:21 Can't have Mr. Clark looking all sloppy now, can we?
01:04:28 - You know, a guy could get used to this.
01:04:33 - Come on, seats are ready.
01:04:37 - Okay, now just because I'm on this videotape
01:04:41 doesn't mean that I can't see you.
01:04:43 Alita, is that gum?
01:04:44 All right, is everybody ready?
01:04:51 - Yes, sir.
01:04:52 - Gravity, the force of attraction between two objects.
01:04:57 (laughing)
01:05:01 That is gravity.
01:05:03 Now, according to the definition of gravity,
01:05:05 why did the egg fall?
01:05:06 - Because.
01:05:07 - And no, Julio, it's not because the egg and the floor
01:05:09 are hot for each other.
01:05:10 (laughing)
01:05:11 Turn around and face me.
01:05:12 The egg fell because the force of the mass
01:05:16 and the distance between the egg and the floor
01:05:19 caused the reaction.
01:05:20 Okay, now, get out your workbooks
01:05:23 because I have to clean my floor.
01:05:24 (light music)
01:05:33 (car honking)
01:05:35 - Morning, Mr. Clark.
01:05:41 - Good morning, Tisha.
01:05:42 You have my kids' homework?
01:05:44 (phone ringing)
01:05:46 - Good to have you back.
01:05:49 (phone ringing)
01:05:51 - That's not true.
01:05:52 - Yes, it is.
01:05:53 I want my CD back and my money, bitch.
01:05:55 - I did that CD back.
01:05:57 - No, you didn't.
01:05:58 - I did.
01:05:58 - You're always doing it.
01:05:59 - It's Mr. Clark.
01:06:00 - I'm not doing it.
01:06:01 - I'm not doing it.
01:06:02 - It's Mr. Clark.
01:06:04 - You better just--
01:06:05 (children yelling)
01:06:08 (gun firing)
01:06:26 (footsteps)
01:06:29 - Yeah, what up, Mr. C?
01:06:34 - You tell me.
01:06:39 You guys have one week till the state exams.
01:06:46 One week to show Mr. Turner
01:06:49 and your parents and yourselves what you can do.
01:06:53 (footsteps)
01:06:56 - You guys don't have anything you wanna tell me?
01:07:00 - There's no way we're gonna pass those tests.
01:07:06 We always mess up.
01:07:08 - And don't jump on us, sir.
01:07:10 I mean, it's nothing personal.
01:07:12 - Everything we do in this room is personal.
01:07:15 How we talk to each other,
01:07:18 how we work together,
01:07:19 and how we've prepared for these tests.
01:07:23 - But we're way behind now.
01:07:25 - We're not behind.
01:07:26 You're ahead.
01:07:27 - Everyone thinks we're losers, Mr. Clark.
01:07:31 - No.
01:07:33 You are not losers.
01:07:37 These rules,
01:07:46 they represent everything you've accomplished this year.
01:07:51 Discovering new things,
01:07:53 believing in each other,
01:07:55 and believing in yourselves.
01:07:57 And I'm proud of you.
01:08:01 Compared to all that, this test,
01:08:06 it's nothing.
01:08:09 - But Mr. Clark,
01:08:11 we have to get certain grades to graduate, right?
01:08:14 So what if we, you know, choke?
01:08:17 - But you're not going to choke.
01:08:20 You guys didn't work hard all this year
01:08:22 just to get ready for some tests.
01:08:24 Every day in this room,
01:08:29 we are learning things far more valuable
01:08:33 than you can get in some book.
01:08:35 I teach you,
01:08:39 and you teach me.
01:08:43 And together we learn to love each other.
01:08:50 And together we love to learn.
01:08:52 So,
01:08:59 next week,
01:09:01 you're gonna take that test.
01:09:04 You're gonna do the best that you can do.
01:09:07 And you are going to walk out of that room
01:09:08 and know that you can do anything you want
01:09:10 for the rest of your lives.
01:09:13 (bell ringing)
01:09:16 - All right, tomorrow is the big day,
01:09:17 but don't worry.
01:09:18 You know the material backwards and forwards.
01:09:20 So just get a good night's sleep,
01:09:23 and you know, good luck.
01:09:25 Federia, can I talk to you for one minute?
01:09:27 And Tayshaun, can you wait for me at the door, please?
01:09:30 (students chattering)
01:09:33 I know that it's been hard for you to finish your studies,
01:09:37 but I'm sure you've been working hard.
01:09:39 And I'm sure you're gonna do a great job.
01:09:41 Then it's been hard for you to fit in,
01:09:43 but you can be smart and still be cool.
01:09:47 In fact, you're so smart and cool,
01:09:49 you can do anything you wanna do.
01:09:51 - I wanna be a doctor.
01:09:54 - Okay, good.
01:09:57 You better kick some butt on that test then, doctor.
01:09:59 - Thank you, Mr. Clark.
01:10:03 - Good luck.
01:10:04 Tayshaun.
01:10:08 (car honking)
01:10:10 - Yo, kid, get it done.
01:10:14 You know what I'm saying?
01:10:15 Do this.
01:10:15 - Aight.
01:10:16 - Hey, what up, T?
01:10:17 - Yo, little brother, where you been, man?
01:10:18 We've been looking for you.
01:10:20 - Hey, yo, you forgot what's up?
01:10:21 - Check it, we got some goods.
01:10:22 We gotta move now, come on.
01:10:23 It's raining, dude, come on.
01:10:25 Hey, look, you can't be in and not roll.
01:10:34 It can't be like that, son.
01:10:37 I was thinking maybe we could walk to school together.
01:10:40 We can do a last minute review of the test on the way.
01:10:42 - Yo, you're going this way or that way, payaso?
01:10:47 Which way, come on.
01:10:48 - That way.
01:10:53 - Come on.
01:10:57 (crowd cheering)
01:11:00 - Okay, so when you get to the math section...
01:11:09 Go get 'em.
01:11:27 - Good morning.
01:11:28 Do not open your test booklets until I tell you to begin.
01:11:33 Keep your eyes on your own paper.
01:11:37 When you've chosen your answer,
01:11:39 fill in the corresponding answer bubble completely
01:11:42 with a number two pencil.
01:11:43 If you require an additional pencil,
01:11:46 please raise your hand and one will be provided.
01:11:50 Do your best and no talking.
01:11:55 (crowd murmuring)
01:11:57 You may begin.
01:12:04 (soft music)
01:12:08 (paper rustling)
01:12:10 (soft music)
01:12:13 (soft music)
01:12:15 (soft music)
01:12:43 - Think they're as nervous as we are?
01:12:45 - I'm not nervous.
01:12:46 - Fantastic. - Thanks.
01:12:49 (school bell ringing)
01:13:04 - It was 36, no it was 32 apples, right?
01:13:12 - Yeah, that's how smart Mr. Clark is.
01:13:14 - So you're gonna go over there?
01:13:17 (knocking)
01:13:28 - Devil Mocha Latino phone.
01:13:35 - Hi, come on in.
01:13:36 - How were the tests?
01:13:39 - Oh, good, I think.
01:13:42 - I think the kids did pretty well.
01:13:43 - Yeah, okay, whatever, I'm freaking out.
01:13:45 I got an audition.
01:13:48 - Oh my God, that's great.
01:13:49 - No, no, that's not so good.
01:13:51 Jason got a job and he asked me to go to LA with him.
01:13:54 I don't know what to do.
01:13:57 Tell me what to do.
01:14:01 - I tell sixth graders what to do
01:14:11 and last time I looked, you weren't in the sixth grade.
01:14:14 So thank you very much for stopping by.
01:14:18 - What's going on?
01:14:39 - What's happening?
01:14:40 - I don't know, I feel like Anita's got a watch.
01:14:41 - Shut up, Julio.
01:14:42 (bell ringing)
01:14:45 - Whatever you do, do not open the closet.
01:14:52 - No, Julio, no.
01:14:55 - No, no, no.
01:14:55 - No, no, no.
01:14:56 - Don't, don't go.
01:14:57 - Julio, no.
01:14:59 - Will y'all calm down?
01:15:04 - Hello, kids.
01:15:09 Julio, I knew you were gonna open the closet.
01:15:12 You guys have been working so hard
01:15:15 for the last three months on this test
01:15:17 and whatever the scores are,
01:15:20 I want you to know I'm proud to be your teacher.
01:15:23 I'm so proud that I asked your parents
01:15:25 to let me take you somewhere special and they said yes.
01:15:29 So, go get your envelopes and open them.
01:15:31 - Shemeika?
01:15:37 - Raquel?
01:15:39 - Right here, right here.
01:15:41 - Elitza?
01:15:42 - Oh my God, Phantom of the Opera guys,
01:15:43 we're going to Broadway.
01:15:44 (crowd gasping)
01:15:45 - We are going tonight, so come get your playbills.
01:15:48 (crowd chattering)
01:15:51 (crowd chattering)
01:15:54 (crowd chattering)
01:15:57 (crowd chattering)
01:16:00 (crowd chattering)
01:16:03 (radio chattering)
01:16:10 (radio chattering)
01:16:13 - And this Phantom guy, he's like so in love with this girl
01:16:33 that he's gotta grab her up, you know?
01:16:35 And then he takes her to the secret crib.
01:16:38 And then he keeps her there and then they find him.
01:16:41 - Where?
01:16:42 - Well, I'm not gonna tell you, you'll find out.
01:16:44 - What the hell?
01:16:53 You ruined my wall.
01:16:56 I told you to paint that crap in the street.
01:17:01 Not in my house.
01:17:06 - No, get off me man, get off of me.
01:17:09 - You think you can do whatever you want?
01:17:11 You piece of garbage.
01:17:16 (punching)
01:17:18 - Julio, Shemeka, Raquel.
01:17:27 Okay guys, go in, the play's gonna start.
01:17:31 Let's go in, come on, get in there.
01:17:33 Let's go.
01:17:35 - I can't find Tisha.
01:17:37 - Don't look for her, Mr. Clark.
01:17:38 There's plenty of parents here.
01:17:39 We'll look after the kids.
01:17:41 (dramatic music)
01:17:52 (footsteps)
01:17:54 (dramatic music)
01:17:57 (clattering)
01:18:00 (dramatic music)
01:18:02 (clattering)
01:18:05 (dramatic music)
01:18:07 (dramatic music)
01:18:10 (dramatic music)
01:18:13 (dramatic music)
01:18:16 - Tisha.
01:18:43 (dramatic music)
01:18:45 Tisha?
01:18:48 (crying)
01:19:00 I'm here.
01:19:04 - Get away, get away.
01:19:06 I ain't worth it, I ain't worth it.
01:19:09 - No, no, no, I know you.
01:19:12 I saw your work.
01:19:13 And it's beautiful.
01:19:16 (dramatic music)
01:19:18 It's okay, it's okay.
01:19:22 It's okay, it's okay.
01:19:26 It's okay.
01:19:27 (crying)
01:19:29 - Where am I gonna go now, Mr. Clark?
01:19:41 - I'm gonna help you.
01:19:42 - I'm not going anywhere.
01:19:46 - It's okay.
01:19:50 (crying)
01:19:52 Here we go.
01:20:08 (car door slams)
01:20:10 Tisha.
01:20:15 You be staying here for a while.
01:20:20 - Thanks, Mr. Turner.
01:20:24 - You're welcome.
01:20:25 Hey, you're gonna be safe here.
01:20:27 (dramatic music)
01:20:29 - May take a while, Ron, but we'll find him a place.
01:20:45 I give him a word.
01:20:48 - So, which room was yours?
01:20:55 (dramatic music)
01:20:58 - I'll see you first thing in the morning.
01:21:03 - Yes, sir.
01:21:03 - For highest achievement in science, Badria Santanen.
01:21:16 (audience applauds)
01:21:19 - Thank you, Mr. Clark.
01:21:20 - You're welcome, doctor.
01:21:23 - For most outstanding achievement in mathematics,
01:21:27 Julio Vasquez.
01:21:29 (audience applauds)
01:21:32 - Thank you, Mr. Clark.
01:21:36 - For exceptional artistic achievement,
01:21:40 Tayshawn Mitchell.
01:21:44 (audience applauds)
01:21:47 - Excuse me.
01:21:52 - And last but not least, Shamik.
01:21:55 - I'm sorry to interrupt your end of the year party,
01:22:01 Mr. Clark, but I just received a fax
01:22:03 from the Board of Education informing me
01:22:05 of the results of the state exam.
01:22:07 I felt it was important to give you the scores myself.
01:22:12 These are probably not the scores you expect.
01:22:20 This class, this sixth grade class,
01:22:23 tested higher than any other class.
01:22:28 (audience applauds)
01:22:31 You even tested higher than the honors class.
01:22:42 (audience applauds)
01:22:45 (audience cheers)
01:22:48 Congratulations.
01:22:53 Congratulations, Mr. Clark.
01:22:59 Very impressive.
01:23:00 (audience laughs)
01:23:04 - Shamika, your award was going to be
01:23:09 for highest achievement in English,
01:23:13 but I'm afraid I'm going to have to change that
01:23:15 because looking at your exam scores,
01:23:18 I now see that you achieved something
01:23:19 that no other student in the entire district achieved.
01:23:24 Shamika Wallace, you earned perfect scores
01:23:31 in English and math.
01:23:33 (audience cheers)
01:23:36 (Mr. Clark laughs)
01:23:39 - Yeah.
01:23:45 - Hey, that's a good one, you did it.
01:23:52 - Mr. Clark, for always being there,
01:23:58 even when we didn't want you to be.
01:24:04 For inspiring us to dream big.
01:24:06 - Yes, sir, Mr. C.
01:24:08 - For looking like a fool when you double-dutch.
01:24:12 (audience laughs)
01:24:16 We voted you the baddest teacher in town.
01:24:19 (audience applauds)
01:24:23 - Oh, thank you.
01:24:27 (audience applauds)
01:24:31 (Mr. Clark laughs)
01:24:33 - Thank you, Mr. Clark.
01:24:38 - Let's get down to some presidential learning.
01:24:42 We'll start with George Washington's
01:24:44 dream from Mount Vernon.
01:24:45 First president and commander in chief
01:24:48 of the revolutionary social duty free.
01:24:50 John Adams was second, Thomas Jefferson third.
01:24:53 When we fought for independence,
01:24:54 we had votes for her.
01:24:55 Saying, "When in the past, a human offense."
01:24:59 We didn't say that, and we've been doing it since.
01:25:01 It's a tribute to the leaders of the USA.
01:25:05 It's a president's rap, alright, alright, okay, okay.
01:25:11 It's a tribute to the leaders of the USA.
01:25:15 It's a president's rap, alright, alright, okay, okay.
01:25:21 It's a tribute to the leaders of the USA.
01:25:26 It's a president's rap, alright, alright, okay, okay.
01:25:30 (upbeat music)
01:25:33 (woman vocalizing)
01:25:52 (man singing in foreign language)
01:25:57 (man singing in foreign language)
01:26:01 (upbeat music)
01:26:03 (man singing in foreign language)
01:26:17 (upbeat music)
01:26:19 (upbeat music)
01:26:22 (upbeat music)
01:26:25 (upbeat music)
01:26:27 (upbeat music)