I am a teacher

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I am a teacher.

I touch minds and hearts.

I work hard, long hours, especially during the summer.

I am a teacher.

I love what I do even when no one notices.

As I inch towards the end of my teaching career (I can’t imagine not teaching so I can’t think about retirement, yet), I have no regrets that this is what I chose to do with my life.

I’d do it all over again if I could.

And, I wish I could.

I am a teacher.

I’ve had the privilege of hanging out with quirky, unpredictable, smart and kind kids for most of my life.

Even though I’ve been teaching for over 30 years, I am forever becoming a teacher.

There is no magic wand to get it right. Whatever that means.

It’s only me and my students.

Sometimes we work well together and sometimes we don’t.

Sometimes we apologize and promise to do better.

Sometimes we laugh and work hard.

I am a teacher.

Cross posted to Two Writing Teachers Slide of Life Tuesday.


4 responses to “I am a teacher”

  1. Loralee Avatar

    Wonderful slice, Elisa! Beautifully said.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Ramona Avatar

    “I am forever becoming a teacher.” Wise words that aren’t often understood by the non-teaching public. Glad you got your slice in, sometimes it’s a challenge to beat that deadline. But this was one worth waiting for.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Elisa Waingort Avatar

      Thank you, Ramona. I know the general public doesn’t understand a lot of things about being a teacher. I just read that we only really become teachers in the presence of our students. I thought that was an amazing statement and absolutely true.

      Like

  3. Terje Avatar

    Your heart is in this poem. Even though there is no magic wand, the teacher can often create and do magic.

    Liked by 1 person

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