The Beyoncé Playlist Every Teacher Can Relate, Too
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If you’ve been a Mamademics reader for awhile, you already know I’m a Beyoncé fan. It is not uncommon for me to decide that today is a Beyoncé day and I play her music all day. Since the release of her latest album, Lemonade, I’ve pretty much been playing it on repeat. Seriously, if you saw me in my local coffee shop, you’d likely see me go from feverishly typing to hands in the air while lip syncing.
During my work session on Friday morning, I was trying to politely respond to the excessive emails from students when “Sorry” came on and I jokingly posted on Facebook that this should be my response to them. People started commenting with all the random excuses students send us and I kept responding to them with lyrics from Beyoncé songs. One of my friends dared me to respond to my students with Beyoncé lyrics, but I haven’t taken her up on the offer. Instead, I created a Beyoncé track list for my college professor and teacher friends that are currently dealing with end of the semester madness. Some of these will totally work for other times of the year too. Oh and I remixed some of the lyrics…
Without further adieu, here’s the Beyoncé Playlist that I’m sure every teacher can relate too.
- Formation from Lemonade
This is the perfect song to blast while you’re preparing for the semester. Go ahead and slay that course calendar while creating your syllabi for the semester. It’s also perfect for finishing up end of the semester grades too.
Okay, okay, ladies, now let’s get in formation, cause I slay
Prove to me you got some organization, cause I slay
Slay teach, or you get evaluated
- “Irreplaceable” from B’Day
When a student threatens to drop your class because you’re “too hard,” but your waiting list is full of students waiting for a seat to open up.
Filling up my inbox
Tellin’ me, how I’m so unfair
Talkin’ ‘bout, I’ll never get a good review
You got me twisted
You must not know about me, You must not know about me
I could have another student in a minute
Matter of fact, they’ll sign up in a minute
Don’t you ever for a second get to thinking you’re irreplaceable
3.“Yes” from Dangerously in Love
When your students complain that you won’t give extra credit, but you’ve already held their hand through the assignments and extended deadlines, so they’re taking your kindness for weakness.
I said yes we can work together
Yes, you can submit it late
But when I say no extra credit
You actin’ so ungratefully
The first time I said no
It’s like I never said yes
- “Beautiful Liar” from B’Day
When a student sends you an email with an excuse that you know is complete BS.
Let’s not kill the karma
Let’s not start a file
It’s not worth the research
For a beautiful liar
Can’t we laugh about it
It’s not worth our time
We can catch them later
Just a beautiful liar
When your student is incredulous about their grade.
I can’t believe you didn’t have to come to class
So young and naïve to think that you still could pass
Silly of you to email me now begging for a grade
Although you feel right we both know that you’re wrong
- “Ring the Alarm” from B’Day
When your student crosses the line from grade inquiry to straight disrespect
Ring the alarm
I been through this too long
But I’ll be damned if I let you disrespect me.
Sorry, I ain’t sorry
Sorry, I ain’t sorry
I ain’t sorry
Middle fingers up, put them hands high
Wave it in his face, tell him, boy, bye
Tell him, boy bye, middle fingers up
I ain’t thinking ‘bout you
When you feel like you’re running on fumes, but you still have grades to finish, an article to revise, and your inbox has 1,000 unread messages. Replace alcohol with the caffeinated drink of your choice.
Hold that cup like alcohol, hold that cup like alchohol
Hold that cup like alcohol
Don’t you drop that alcohol
Never drop that alcohol, never drop that alcohol
I know you thinkin’ bout that alcohol
I know I’m thinkin’ bought that alcohol
- “I Can’t Take No More”
When you see your evaluations or make the mistake of checking Rate-Your-Professor, but all you can focus on are the negative responses.
It’s really been weighing on me
Tell me what did I do
To have yall hating on me
When I don’t have nothing to prove
Sometimes I shake my head
When I’m laying down in my bed
Thinking ‘bout the things been said
When you really don’t know me yet
- “I Was Here” from 4
When a student sends you a message thanking you for everything they’ve learned and it finally feels like your hard work has paid off.
I wanna say I lived each day, until I die
And I know that I meant something in somebody’s life
The hearts I’ve touched will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this will world will see
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I’ve done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark, so everyone will know
I was here
Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move
Freedom, cut me loose!
Singin’, freedom! Freedom! Where are you?
Cause I need freedom too!
I break chains all by myself
Won’t let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I’ma keep running
Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves
The shirt I wear while grading… Click the pic to get yours 🙂
Who’s your favorite artist to listen to when you’re working on teacher related assignments?
P.S. Go visit my girls Jenn and Danyelle. They both helped me round out this list when I got stuck.
