Worse things have happened.
You've tripped and fallen on your face.
And you've argued with those you love.
Someone has ignored your application,
Throwing away hours of your hard work.
You've lost more socks than you can count.
And your heart has been broken.
Wonderful people have died.
And they've cancelled your favorite TV show.
Worse things have happened.
And you survived.
There once was a women who began a tough journey.
She sweated through all her favorite shirts.
And made the mistake of wearing heels to make a good impression.
She brought leftover meatloaf for lunch,
Unaware that there was no microwave,
Or teacher's lounge...at all...
She escorted a sick kid all the way to a nonexistent nurse,
Still wearing the heels.
The students stare,
Refusing to answer questions.
She monitors the classroom,
Watching students do everything except their work.
She hears curse words in Spanish,
As pencils fly across the room.
She can sense the beginnings of a student brawl.
And then, she feels a tug on her sleeve.
"Miss, can you recommend any good books for me?
I think you're doing great!"
She looks around the room.
Mischievous middle schoolers on her left,
And on her right.
Some are working, some are not
Then, she takes a moment to talk about books.
She is the teacher now.
She knows it won't be easy.
But, worse things have happened.
Ms. Lloyd,
ReplyDeleteAh, the middle school classroom. I really enjoyed your imagery, and especially the student who broke through the chaos. Those little moments are the ones that will carry us through this crazy last semester. You have always struck me as an optimist and that feeling seems to really shine in your poem. Even through all the "bad" things that have happened. Thank you for always seeing the bright side and for sharing your adventures in the classroom with us. Isn't it great to be able to write this "She is the teacher now" and realize it is true?
Mrs. Tolbert
Erin,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a positive perspective on your Student Teaching experience! I can definitely relate to most of those moments you described in your poem. When I look back though, they can't even compare to how much I love developing relationships with students and gaining confidence in teaching! I especially loved your last three lines. Taking on the role of the classroom teacher gives you so much more confidence! I am so grateful we can go through this experience together, and that we have such wonderful Mentor Teachers guiding us. Try to keep this perspective in mind throughout these next two weeks while we are teaching our KPTP unit. It won't be easy, but I know you can do it!
Sarah
I love your title and the ideas it represents: "Worse Things Have Happened." That alone puts all the day's difficulties into perspective. Is this your mantra for a bad day? Great attitude. Great poem.
ReplyDeleteHooray!!! Thanks for sharing your creative side with us, Ms. Loyd, and thank you for depicting this small joy of teaching -- the moments when we are truly connecting to students, even when it seems like nothing else is going as planned. I agree with Ms. Tolbert that you exude optimism in your written and oral contributions, and that will serve you well in this career and in life. Optimism isn't a personal characteristic; it's a choice ... a choice to hope and to look for the good. Thank you, Ms. Loyd.
ReplyDelete