The voice of a child

Children come to school each day battling external obstacles that have nothing to do with education. When they show up, it is important that teachers embrace their potential and connect with students to motivate them to learn and charge them to move beyond the voices of the barriers that surface each day to hinder them from learning.

The below poem is titled, "From The Heart of A Child". It demonstrates what students face when taught by teachers whose number one priority is Curriculum first, understanding later.

From The Heart Of A Child

My house was too noisy, I could not sleep last night,
The next day, I struggled to go to school because I
remembered someone say that I was bright.

That dim little hope that led me to school that day,
Was quickly removed when I could not repeat what
my teacher wanted me to say.

I said,"I'm tired", she said, "too bad, you need to go to bed
at night, students who do their part are the ones who end up bright."

Tears began to well up inside, but instead of getting emotional
I held my pride.

I said, "Forget you teacher you don't understand."
And just as I suspected, she began to reprimand.

She sent me out of the room and again I missed alot of work,
When I returned to class she treated me like dirt.

When it was time for a test, I didn't have confidence to spell,
Instead of encouraging me to do better, my teacher yelled.

"I hate school," I said "I should have stayed at home. At least when
I'm there I'm left alone."

The school day finally ended and again I've been a disgrace,
and my teacher is relieved that I'm going home and getting out of her face.

Teachers,
How are you reaching?
What are you teaching?