Teacher’s Lament On Teaching in a Pandemic
Urban Schooling and COVID-19
What I say today is that I am not ok
With the position I have been thrust into today.
As an educator of our Nation’s youth, I have been played
Like a political pawn
Instead of used as a professional to lean upon
For problem-solving guidance to dig us out of the hole.
We have been thrown into something that has stolen our soul
By people trusted to lead the way,
And again I say I am not OK!
As I stare upon my virtual classroom screen,
I am faced with the fact that it is the go-between.
Me and my students try to make the best out of a losing hand
Dealt to us by the card sharp dealer
Who could be said to be the ultimate stealer
Of education from our nation’s economically disadvantaged youth.
Today my alarm goes off and I try to roll out of bed,
But so many thoughts run through my overflowing head.
My students long to see me and each other face-to-face,
Yet what we are faced with is a lifeless disgrace.
As I power on the laptop on my desk, I think
About how low this great country did sink
Into the despair that I can not contain,
And I wonder who is ultimately to blame?
In this moment there is no time for that,
I must login to my sterile class.
It may be free from the everyday sass
Of my students, but it is not right.
We must all be willing to fight for better.
As an English teacher, I think write a letter,
But those have fallen on deaf ears in this battle.
John Lewis said,” Get in good trouble…”
How can I do that on the double?
With my own question unanswered then,
I continue to press on and ahead.
Despite the masses telling me that I am lazy,
Because I don’t want to get sick and they think that is crazy.
I press on in my fight for better conditions for my students.
It is the a-ha moment and the fist bump
That ultimately make me bust my hump.
I am not in this profession for the dollars,
If I was, I could definitely be considered crazy.
I come to work for that difference made.
For me that is the ultimate trade.
At this time I mourn the ultimate loss of life,
And I am going to carry on with my daily strife.
About the Creator
Elissa Werve
My name is Elissa Werve, and I am a high school English teacher in Milwaukee. I have worked in urban education for most of my career as a teacher and a tennis coach. In addition to teaching, I am a mother of four teenagers.
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Hometown Magic
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