I yawned all day today.
I tried to stop but I couldn’t.
I wasn’t tired, just bored,
I think,
when I was pushing in to classrooms.
Once I stepped out into the fresh air,
and took deep breaths,
I felt better.

Was it easier to breathe in my own classroom?
Some days I don’t care to answer that question.

Now, I have to wonder how the kids were feeling.
Did they need some fresh air?
Space to move around?
Opportunities for accountable talk?
Movement breaks?

How would I feel stuck to a desk for an hour at a time?
Having someone talk at me non stop?
What if I was afraid of asking a question,
or to borrow a pencil or to go the bathroom?

Teachers have the power to make or break a child.
With our words we can do great deeds.
We can elevate someone or crush them to pieces.
We can affirm,
ask questions we really don’t know the answers to,
we can show respect, love, and kindness.

So, why would we choose to break down a child?
And, yes it is a choice.

Cross posted to March Slice of Life Challenge, Day #17.