Rowena Velasco Poet Quatrain

In the Shadow of the Chalkboard

In halls where silence speaks louder than words,
I stand, a beacon amidst the unseen.
Their gazes, sharp as unspoken swords,
Pierce through the facade, where I've always been.

Once, my voice resonated with pride,
Now, it's drowned by murmurs and disdain.
Yet, I endure, with dignity as my guide,
In a place where respect is hard to attain.

But within me, a fire continues to burn,
For teaching is more than a mere profession.
It's a calling, a passion that will return,
To a realm where my worth is not in question.

So, I'll rise above the shadows they've cast,
Seeking a future where my spirit is free.
For in the end, it's not about the past,
But the legacy of the teacher I choose to be.

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Sara Kendrick July 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM Ahh!! Great teachers are hard to find so continue on your quest to be the best that you can be for the future of those you teach. Thanks for sharing this one with us. Sara K Rowena Velasco July 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM Thank you so much, Sara!

Sotto Poet July 18, 2025 at 7:33 AM This is an excellent poem that explores the struggles and resilience of a teacher who faces adversity and disrespect in their environment but remains committed to their calling. Rowena Velasco July 18, 2025 at 6:22 PM Thank you so much! That was exactly the heart of it—honoring the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up with purpose, even when the world feels against you. I’m grateful it resonated.

Duke Beaufort July 18, 2025 at 4:25 AM Rowena, good luck in this career. It's not easy. I tried various teaching positions at one point in my life and finally found one that suited me for about a decade. Life presents itself and we often know we need to find a comfort zone. Not too comfortable, but at least where we can feel good about ourselves and what we are doing. Smiles and good luck!!! Rowena Velasco July 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM Thank you so much for your thoughtful words and encouragement! You're absolutely right—teaching asks a lot of the heart, and finding that space where purpose and peace meet is such a gift. Wishing you continued joy in your journey too. Smiles back!

Bill Baker July 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM Well written, my friend. Teaching is an honorably vocation, but to many it is a calling. My wife, Sara, and I are both retired teachers / and coaches. :-) Hats off to all of you that are teaching in these times. It's a challenge, but I promise the smiles and aha moments now and the letters and memories later make it all worth it, Roween. Hugs, Bill Rowena Velasco July 18, 2025 at 3:44 AM Thank you so much, Bill! You and Sara have walked this path, and your words light the way: teaching is indeed both an honour and a calling. The challenges we face today can feel heavy, but it’s the quiet “aha!” moments and student smiles that remind us why we persist. As educator Tim Goodwin shared, “Teachers teach for the ‘aha’ moment… when that student lights up with understanding… There isn’t much better than that.” Your encouragement means the world—hats off to you both, and hugs right back!