she waves goodbye as the last student leaves the room
excited to show mom and dad what they made or did today,
but inside the busy room
she has much to do
much to think about.
what makes a teacher? she wonders
is it the countless hours planning lessons,
making photocopies,
gathering more butcher paper for another chart or song,
grading sums and differences of little fingers?
is it being an actress for them,
goofing off and making physical science interesting?
is it being perhaps the only encouragement they hear,
the gentle backscratch of "good job,"
the warm smile of "i care about you, sweetie"?
is it the glaring look at times,
the consequences of missing recess for not following rules,
role-playing how to respond more respectfully,
and talking of teamwork...again?
is it the sore throat at 2:15pm,
the throbbing headache from bending down
and explaining directions for the 4th time,
the constant dosage of Emergen-C?
is it the tears at home,
the "i can't do this" 's
the fear and feeling of failure,
and periods of wanting to quit?
yes. it's all of these, and so much more.
and it's overwhelming at times,
it's exhausting at times,
quite humbling at times,
but this is her calling
and she's charging forward, determined.
H