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Abstract

This paper presents MENTEE-SS (Mentorship, Engagement, Nurturing, Trust, Empowerment, Excellence-Systems of Support for Students and Families), a practitioner-focused reimagination of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) through the lens of hip-hop pedagogy, mentorship, and culturally sustaining practices. While traditional MTSS frameworks often emphasize compliance and deficit-based intervention, MENTEE-SS situates support in student identity, creativity, and voice.

Grounded in relational trust and arts integration, the framework uses the author’s original song I’M HIM as a case study in identity reclamation. Three tiers bring this vision to life: co-designed classroom rituals (Yo DJ, Spin That Class!, Tier 1), lyric-writing groups for recovery (The Lab, Tier 2), and restorative support circles (The Safe Cypher, Tier 3).

Case studies illustrate how students with learning and emotional disabilities experience belonging, resilience, and academic growth through rhythm, relationship, and radical presence. By weaving research with lived practice, this article invites educators to imagine schools where mentorship is universal, the arts are essential, and every student’s story is featured on the beat.

Keywords: MTSS, hip-hop pedagogy, mentorship, special education, culturally sustaining practice.

Comments

The accompanying original song “I’m Him” can be heard here: https://youtu.be/UItkrgu7Hlw?feature=shared

All music is available on streaming platforms under the artist name A Human Named David. More about the author’s educational work and philosophy can be found at ATeacherNamedDavid.com

DOI

10.5703/1288284318229

Keywords

MTSS, hip-hop pedagogy, mentorship, special education, student voice

Date of this Version

12-19-2025

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