kolmanlit
Letters to a Young Teacher (4)
Boston, Massachusetts
Dear Sandy,
Hello again!
Nothing surprises more
than a boy throwing a book at the front of the room.
I know how upsetting that is for you.
Where is his manners?
Where is your decorum?
Nor do you want to see
Jimmy and Johnny engaged in a brawl.
This is no barroom, boys.
The disorder from their lives travels to your classroom.
You are the upholder of civil order.
Your math lesson was excellent.
You teach it just right.
Curriculum is good, but not with a fight.
The unease in your mind destroys
the beauty of your well-planned lesson.
Do you want that calm beauty?
Is that what you're there for?
You have to question Peter about throwing that book.
Did a girl upset him?
"I don't know!" was not a gifted answer.
You're doing very well.
Not everyday will strike you as wild.
The last mar on the picture was:
Sally was in her seat without a pen.
She had to look around and borrow.
Children at their age (fifth grade)
can be so adorable,
and they can be not so adorable.
Remember your role,
be cognizant of socioeconomic errors,
you'll come out shining,
and make them so happy,
that you lasted it for them.
Speak to the wrongdoer first,
if that doesn't serve,
call in the parents.
You know what's best and you've got control.
You're doing this for all our sakes.
Best regards,
Dr. Brinkley, Ed.D
Dear Sandy,
Hello again!
Nothing surprises more
than a boy throwing a book at the front of the room.
I know how upsetting that is for you.
Where is his manners?
Where is your decorum?
Nor do you want to see
Jimmy and Johnny engaged in a brawl.
This is no barroom, boys.
The disorder from their lives travels to your classroom.
You are the upholder of civil order.
Your math lesson was excellent.
You teach it just right.
Curriculum is good, but not with a fight.
The unease in your mind destroys
the beauty of your well-planned lesson.
Do you want that calm beauty?
Is that what you're there for?
You have to question Peter about throwing that book.
Did a girl upset him?
"I don't know!" was not a gifted answer.
You're doing very well.
Not everyday will strike you as wild.
The last mar on the picture was:
Sally was in her seat without a pen.
She had to look around and borrow.
Children at their age (fifth grade)
can be so adorable,
and they can be not so adorable.
Remember your role,
be cognizant of socioeconomic errors,
you'll come out shining,
and make them so happy,
that you lasted it for them.
Speak to the wrongdoer first,
if that doesn't serve,
call in the parents.
You know what's best and you've got control.
You're doing this for all our sakes.
Best regards,
Dr. Brinkley, Ed.D
Comment On This Poem --- Vote for this poem
Letters to a Young Teacher (4)
Letters to a Young Teacher (4)
