Poem: The Kind of Teacher

I was inspired to write a little poem during school today. I'm sure it would have been much better if I hadn't been forced to wait until my prep period to write it down. This certainly is not about any great lesson I taught today, but I wish it were.

The Kind of Teacher

When class begins

I can see the skepticism

The loll of tired heads

Eyes rolling

Maybe a sneer.

At my best,

I can earn a nod

Acknowledgement of time well spent.

Maybe a thoughtful “Huh.”

Occasionally a “Whoa.”

Of course the class ends with

My obligatory thanks for their attention

Wishes for a good day

Reminders about pending assignments

See-you-tomorrows.

But if I were the kind of teacher I want to be

All the classes would crescendo

With that moment of realization

Where a teenage skepticism is breached

Punctured by some uncool grownup insight.

And I would look them in the eyes

Unrolling eyes

Attentive, expectant eyes

And shout,

“So There!”

Okay, so I know it's not the greatest poem in the world. But then, the greatest song in the world isn't the greatest, either (see below). I guess this poem is a tribute to the poem about teaching I wanted to write. I think teachers will get it, though.