Common is prepared to teach kids a thing or two

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Aside from dropping knowledge as a rapper, Common is prepared to lead the class.

The actor and musician got in touch with the Ministry on Friday to talk about his involvement with Get Schooled, a youth summit that aims to curb high-school dropout rates and support higher education.

Common spent two years in business school at Florida A&M -- and said he could see himself behind the lectern.

‘I left school because I got the opportunity to do recording, but I probably would’ve become a teacher,’ he said. ‘They say you can’t handle the kids every day, but I don’t mind.’

Especially not Friday, when he and MTV News correspondent Sway surprised 2,600 students at Los Angeles’ Ulysses S. Grant High School.

‘I was really excited to do it; they stand for educating the youth,’ he said of Get Schooled. The ‘Just Wright’ star maintains his schooling was beneficial beyond the classroom.

‘High school and the college experience is crucial for you socially. I remember taking my profession classes at [A&M]. We had to wear suits, learned how to shake hands and look people in the eye.... That’s beneficial in any situation in life.’

Common will next appear in the AMC pilot ‘Hell on Wheels,’ about the building of the American railroad, and is working on his next album, ‘The Dreamer, the Believer,’ with longtime collaborator No I.D.

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly