Ep 18. The Unteachables

Hangin' With Mr. Cooper is a sitcom that aired from 1992 to 1997. Season 1 episode 18 titled "The Unteachables" follows Mark Cooper (played by Mark Curry), a former NBA player turned substitute teacher at Oakbridge High School in California. In this particular episode, Mark is assigned to teach a group of six students who have been deemed "unteachable" by other teachers.

As Mark prepares to meet his new students, he is warned by his co-worker Julie (played by Holly Robinson Peete) not to get his hopes up as the students are known for their disruptive behavior and lack of academic progress. However, Mark remains determined to reach these students and make a difference in their lives.

Upon entering the classroom, Mark is met with chaos as the students refuse to listen and continue to disrupt the lesson. However, Mark doesn't give up and tries to find a way to connect with the students. He soon realizes that the key to reaching them is to understand what motivates them. Mark takes the time to get to know each student individually and learns about their interests and hobbies. He uses this information to make the lesson more engaging and relatable to the students.

As Mark's teaching methods prove to be effective, other teachers begin to take notice and are impressed with the changes they see in the previously "unteachable" students. However, not everyone is happy with Mark's success. The school principal, Mrs. Noble (played by Nell Carter), is skeptical of Mark's methods and is convinced that he is not teaching the students "properly". She insists that Mark stick to the current curriculum and stop "coddling" the students.

Mark's determination to help his students pays off as they finally begin to make progress in their academic work. They even start to show up early to class and take a genuine interest in learning. In the end, Mark's unconventional teaching methods prove to be successful as the previously "unteachable" students not only pass their exams but also gain confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Overall, "The Unteachables" is an episode that showcases the power of perseverance and the importance of understanding and connecting with students. It encourages viewers to see the potential in every student and to never give up on them. While the show is a product of its time, its positive message and humor still hold up today.