I Am A Teacher (A Poem)

Run time: 04:50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rgk730Z1x8   Posted on YouTube: March 10, 2011 By YouTube Member: MarkRosengarten Views on YouTube: 7   Posted on DU: March 10, 2011 By DU Member: gadjitfreek Views on DU: 1347

 
As an educator, I cannot just sit idly by as my profession is viciously attacked by conservatives who want nothing more than to privatize it. I wrote this when I got home from a very busy day at work, where I raised my students' consciousness about the nature of the universe. Check out my chemistry tutorial videos that I put up there to help whoever needs it. And forward this along to those who would tell you that we are not worth a penny.

Here it is, written out:

I am a teacher, I shape minds
I make sure that no one’s left behind
I make kids wonder, I make them think
And now you’re telling me that I stink?
My day starts at six forty-five
And then at 3, if I’m still alive
I head for home, some papers grade
And let tomorrow’s plans be laid
I’m a techno wizard at AV
I have a review show on TV
I create more new things every day
And let my students have their say
Give them freedom to really shine
But now you say the fault is mine?
My students clamor for my class
It’s always filled up to capass
Ity, there’s not a seat left free
And that’s just peachy keen by me
I give them all a fighting chance
Yet you can barely cast a glance
At all we’re doing in our schools
You’re treat us teachers all like fools
We pour our lives into our craft
Yet we feel we’re stranded on a raft
And there you are, upon the shore
Throwing boulders, rocks and more
As if to sink us you would try
As we madly paddle by
Our pay and pensions you would ax
So that the rich can pay less tax!
You say large class size is just the thing!
To justify your layoff fling
You say young teachers are the best
So you can fire all the rest
My years of service? Twenty-three
And thousands of children taught by me
Yet you place no value on
My services and wish me gone?
Because I earn a little more
Than I could bagging groceries at the store?
My profession, loudly, you despise
Until you can, of course, privatize
Should be run like a business, your favorite sound
Until you run it into the ground
And run off with the profits fast
And let our children come in last
Counting cash that others spend
Hoping for profit without end?
Well, I’ve no stocks and I’ve no bonus
The next generation, THAT’S my onus
You say teachers are those who cannot do
Hey, I make a difference, pal…how about you?

Thank you!

I make a difference, pal. How about you? Says it all.