A Unicorn In a World of Gargoyles

Zebras. Monkeys. Lions too.
Decorating every corner.
Gorgeously done. 
Not the approved way,
But a gloriously new classroom
With a fresh teacher with crazy ideals intact.

She was a bit too cheerful.
Too open. Too friendly. Maybe a small-town girl.
Not institutionalized at all, not used to our ways.
What is she thinking? We whispered
Behind her back, and in front of her face.

She was a unicorn in a world of gargoyles.
We poked fun of her with our cracked cement faces.
She obviously knows not what she is about, we said.
The students will tear up that classmate in seconds, showing their colors.
Browns and grays ourselves, we never got around to showing her,
for children saw her for her pinks, oranges and greens.

The test scores came out in July.
Zebra, Monkey, Lion, Unicorn odd-ball’s class
Had the highest test scores in the state.
She was promoted to coach, to teach the others how to show kind colors.
Many of the whisperers left, not wanting to be taught.
I decided to stay and apologize.
The next year my classroom is filled to the brim
with gorillas, tigers, unicorns, hope, kindness and colors.
She is teaching me her magic ways.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

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Wolf Avatar
May 2, 2019 at 10:59 PM
Great lesson plan! Better lesson! I have taken notes. Will implement, adapting all those animals and colors so that I can continue to 'work from strength.' Thank you for posting this. ~ FTM (Fellow Teacher, Me)
Krutsinger Avatar
May 3, 2019 at 3:40 AM
You are welcome, FTM. Ha!
Mchattie Avatar
May 2, 2019 at 7:47 PM
Lovely poem. Some people have the gift. Have a great day my friend.
Krutsinger Avatar
May 3, 2019 at 3:41 AM
Some do. Others do not, and I wish we would eliminate TENURE for teachers for those of us who do, do not NEED it, and it protects the others, which does not help the CHILDREN.
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