Barnegat Principal Raps 'Fresh Prince' Parody On Virtual Learning

BARNEGAT, NJ — This is the story all about how a Barnegat principal lightened the mood during these difficult times. Shannon E. Smith created a music video, with help from staff, that parodies the theme song to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and captures the current moment.

Smith is the principal for Russell O. Brackman Middle School. As New Jersey handles the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, students across the state must learn from home.

Barnegat schools won't reopen until at least April 20. Virtual learning is uncharted territory for most students and parents, so Smith found a unique way to alleviate anxieties: rapping about it.

Smith posted her music video — "Fresh Prince(ipal) of Barnegat" — Monday night, where she raps about virtual learning.

"Everybody’s stressed out about the virtual learning, about how it’s going to work," Smith told Patch. "So I made something fun and light to show that we’ll get through this, one step at a time."

Watch the video below:

How She Became the 'Fresh Prince(ipal) of Barnegat'

It all started with an idea at about 1 a.m. Monday morning. Smith was typing up information for her teachers to prepare for Monday's emergency faculty meeting, when she decided to create the song and video.

"All my good ideas come to me at the last possible minute," Smith said. "I try to think of popular songs. I’m like, ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’"

Smith's 18-month-old was next to her — her baby doesn't sleep through the night. Smith played the "Fresh Prince" theme song softly and tried rapping to it. She finished writing the lyrics by about 2 a.m.

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The rap begins, "Now this is the story all about how our lives got flip-turned upside down. And I'd like to take a minute. Just sit right there. And I'll tell you how virtual learning can be done from everywhere."

She asked chorus teacher Erich Wald if he could record her rapping in his studio, and he agreed. Then she told the teachers her idea during Monday's staff meeting.

"I have a fantastic staff here, and they go along with all my crazy ideas," Smith said. "I’m like, ‘Let’s do that.’ And they’re like, ‘What are you doing? How is your crazy brain working right now?"

It took her and Wald only 25 minutes to record the song. Then Smith went around the school and filmed throughout the day. When she got home Monday night, she completed the video and posted to YouTube.

Not Her Debut on the Mic

Smith used to teach computer classes at the high school, so she knows how to produce videos.

Some of Smith's videos have included a Barnegat High School Bengals pride video set to "Roar" by Katy Perry. She also created a "Just Believe" video with her cheerleaders.

Watch both below:

She's also not a rookie in the rap game.

When Smith coached cheerleading, they used to attend an annual summer camp. Everyone would participate in a talent show, and the girls encouraged her once to perform a cheerleading-related rap.

It was many years ago, she says, but attendees still bring it up to her. Smith also rapped in a talent show at the high school.

"Maybe I have a new career," she joked. "I have no problem embarrassing myself for the kids."

Barnegat's Next Chapter

Virtual learning began Tuesday for Barnegat students. She feels grateful that the district had some time to prepare.

Barnegat schools already had a scheduled professional-development day Wednesday. So they canceled what was planned and trained teachers in Google Classroom.

Teachers guided students Thursday and Friday on how to use virtual-learning tools. Faculty will consistently go over what goes well with the setup and what can improve.

"Right now, we’re teaching any gaps they may have had of any previous material taught," Smith said. "And as we go on, depending on how long we’re going to be out for, we’ll readjust that as well."

She's not sure if many of her students have seen or heard of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," which ran from 1990-96. But as students stay inside, they might have some time to watch the show.

"I know their parents definitely got it," Smith said, "so maybe they can teach them how to do the Carlton."

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