I Teach

I teach
Reading and writing
And speaking
And listening
And computer skills
And citizenship
And teamwork
And collaboration
And questioning skills
And thinking skills
And hygiene
And manners
And caring
And trustworthiness
And tall kids
And short kids
And thin kids
And thick kids
And smart kids 
And struggling kids
And patience
And pride in self
And self-esteem
And hope
And I laugh
And I cry
And I worry
And I pray
And I call DHS
And I grade papers
And I take classes
And I answer calls
And emails
And texts
And notes
And I Zoom
And FaceTime
And I take it all home with me
And it never leaves my mind
And I don’t leave it on my desk
And I’m on call to help with homework
And with internet issues
And computer problems
And placate parents
And hold my tongue
And take “advice” from 
Non-educators because they 
All think they know what it’s like to be
Me because, hey, they went to school.
Hey, I’ve been to a hospital, 
But I don’t advise my doctor,
And I’ve been to a courtroom,
But I don’t advise judges,
And I don’t call them after work hours
And I don’t email them after work hours
And I don’t expect them to drop 
Everything for me after work hours
To answer questions that were answered
During the work day when I wasn’t
Listening.
But I’m a teacher, 
So I do.
And I answer the questions
That were discussed in class
And I am on call 24/7
And I take blame from parents
For students not doing their work
Or listening to directions
Or following timelines
And getting bad grades
Because I am the teacher
And that’s what I do.
I teach.

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