T is for Teaching
It was early one morning when the radio did blast
First day of teaching had arrived; I had to move quite fast
For the hour that was mentioned by the broadcaster that day
Said that I would be quite late; there was no time for me to stay.
The man who spoke was joking saying times which caused me fright
I was rushing when I noticed that my clocks were just not right.
I slowed down what I was doing…Made it to my school to tell
All the great things that my class would do and then the garbage fell
I had kicked it down while talking, was embarrassed, what a fool
But that is how I started out my great career at school.
As years went by I taught a few that challenged me at best
To make me think, and change my ways, to even get me stressed.
I was set up by a student on my first parental call
When he said I mispronounced his name, and I believed it all
As I called his mom to tell her all the things that he had done
She enlightened me, as to her name, it was he, not I, who’d won.
There was the mom who called upset, her daughter was quite blue
It seemed someone did break a ring, mom knew not what to do
Asked for advice, I gave her some, made up, gave it a shot
What ‘ere I said, it calmed her down and helped us all a lot.
There was the girl who worked so hard to plan our class zoo trip
That was until the day arrived where she did make a slip
She could not walk and didn’t think that she could make it through
Until with mom, I carried her throughout the whole Bronx Zoo
And then they’re those that take the blame and those that hide the truth
To find the ones that did it all, I’d have to be a sleuth.
“I didn’t take her pencil!” cried one to clear himself from shame
“Besides I gave it back,” he said, “So I’m not the one to blame.”
And then the girl who scratched the name of some boy on the wall.
Though I knew she did, she never said, until I got the call
At school year’s end, her mother brought her back to me that day
“I was the one, I should have said.” through tears was all she’d say.
There were those that wouldn’t speak at all and those who spoke too low
I somehow found a lot of ways for all to make a go.
Again a mother on the phone, “Why do you make them speak!”
“My daughter has grown up like me,” she wailed, “we’re all a bit too meek!”
And yet at moving up day on the following school year.
Who’s daughter was the one who volunteered and spoke to all so clear.
Of course, I taught a lot in all the years that I was there
Each year I would try something new and tried to remain fair.
Some years were great with all the work we did and then I’d thrive.
And other ones did not go well, but still, I did survive.
Now looking back through all the years and all the things I’ve done.
I’ve got to say it all worked out, in fact, it sure was fun.
But things have changed in all our schools. Less freedom than we had.
I’m glad that I left when I did, for now, I would be sad.
“We all must learn the same things now,” is what I hear each day.
And everything there is to learn is taught in the same way.
Where are the days when something new expanded what we know?
And let our kids learn for themselves with time to think and grow.
My hope is that though times have changed, we look at what we’ve wrought.
We fire up those sparks in all just like when we were taught
The world would be a better place, think of all that we could reach
If those who run the schools agreed to give us time to teach.
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