14 August 2010

"The office doesn't teach you, I do."

teeth set against me
inception of initial angst
remains hidden
behind a laser gaze
burning holes in the wall of our classroom

while the rest of us carry on
you’ll show me
(and absorb what we do through osmosis

just wait
one day participation will surprise you
when it springs without thought
from your mouth)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check out Writer's Island for more responses to the prompt, inception.

13 comments:

Mary said...

I see here an angry student who is trying to resist learning. I've had some like this. Each has been a challenge, but when you break down their resistance it can be a wonderful feeling. ( And, I have no doubt you will!)

flaubert said...

Brenda this is a wonderful piece and I am sure you are a wonderful
teacher.I feel that about you!
Pamela

Weasel said...

Thank you for reminding me the challenges of teacher. LOL! Really wonderful poem! Great response to the prompt!

-Weasel =)

RiikaInfinityy said...

Sounds like a battlefield between a student and teacher XD, Thank for sharing this wonderful poem =P

Stan Ski said...

Education is delivered at one pace - understanding is received at different paces for different students. We're all still learning, and hopefully the process will continue.

Jennifer A. said...

This poem illustrates a teacher who desperately wants her students to participate. I liked it.

Dina Spice said...

I'm sure you keep your class interesting enough, Brenda, that no kid can resist you for long!

Upcoming school year right around the corner - great place to find use of the idea of "inception"!

- Dina

anthonynorth said...

Teaching is always a challenge.

vivienne blake said...

Your poem epitomises why I prefer 1-to-1 teaching. As you say, there's always one rebel in every class, but across my kitchen table with a French student, I can make huge and rapid progress over a mug of coffee and home-made cake.

gautami tripathy said...

As a teacher I can relate to this..

red sand

brenda w said...

*Mary, Those are the hardest nuts to crack. I can usually get there by November with every student. What I really hate, is the ones I lose after I have them.

*Pamela, Thank you. Your words mean a great deal to me.
Weasel-Thanks. I'm sure more teacher poems will come when the little buggers are right in front of me everyday. :)

*Riika--some days are like that, I need to always remember to let them feel like they win from time to time.

*Stan-Aye, there's the rub. Differentiating instruction for the kids. My small classes make that easier, but it is a challenge.

*Jaycee-Glad you liked it, thanks for stopping by!

*Dina-Some kids practice resistance as an art form. Such pride and determination...those are desirable traits. Pointing that out sometimes works...but it can also backfire. :( Thank you for your vote of support!

*Anthony- You're right,every day challenges arise. It keeps things interesting. :)

*Viv- I agree. As a literacy specialist I am blessed with opportunities to work with a small number of students. The normal class size in my district is 25-30 students. It is too many. This is one of my biggest complaints as a teacher. It is hard to reach every child when one person faces so many.

*Gautami- Good luck when it arises in your classroom!

Some students want to spend time in the office. I resist sending them out until they scream the F word or get physical. I think they do learn through osmosis. At least they'll learn more sitting in my class than they will on a chair awaiting discipline.

Elizabeth said...

You remind me of why I chose to teach adults who wanted to learn what I had to offer. That doesn't guarantee a lack of resistance, but the resistance is usually localized and approachable. I don't envy you and respect you even more for doing it.

Elizabeth

Tilly Bud said...

This proves I was right not to go into teaching! But I bet the rewards are immense when you reach the difficult students.