Note: Well, I have been quite surprised by the response to the student's sonnet I wrote last week. And many of you said that you thought I should give the teacher a fair shot at a response. Here it is (and, once again, a very rough draft that may go through changes).
-K. D.
You know the rule, young man.
If you don't come in on time,
you don't write the test. It's fine
if you're sick, but please...can
you even imagine if I planned
my classes around such a line?
You must think I'm dumb and blind.
These are lies I cannot stand.
It would be a crime
if you decided to take a stand.
You would fail; gaining nothing grand.
It would waste all our time.
Don't ever try to do that again.
Now, take a seat so we can begin.
*
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About the Creator
Kendall Defoe
Teacher, reader, writer, dreamer... I am a college instructor who cannot stop letting his thoughts end up on the page. No AI. No Fake Work. It's all me...
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The Student Sonnet
Note: I have pretty much been dead on my feet this week with the midterm exams, weather weirdness in Canada, and the usual obsessions and concerns over money and future work (thank you, stress headache...stressache?). So, this may not be my best work, but I think it explains where my head is at and what I have had to deal with...
By Kendall Defoe 2 years ago in Poets
Comments (15)
โกโฅ๏ธโก
Teachers sure don't have it easy. Well done.
Excellent words, I have been on the wrong side of this many times
๐ฅ
Loved the last two lines of your sonnet!!! โค๏ธโค๏ธ๐
NICE WORK. A FICTION FULL OF COLORED REALITY. AND THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING ME.
Typically a teacher talking here. There is truth in your poem and it's not only a poem but a powerful message passed across. Keep up the good work.
I was not attracted by your title to a recently posted work (Bitch) but by your name. I liked the first sonnet so much I am following you. I am a little old lady writer in southern USA who taught school for 30 years. In retirement, I write for myself after writing for decades for others. Do you want some gentle, respectful feedback of wee little weaknesses I see--maybe if not here, in private messenger? I would celebrate the same in return, although you might not be drawn to my content.
Such a hard one! Rules are needed and so are consequences. But would a teacher like this know when to bend them and apply a more holistic view to the issue? โYou know the rule, young manโ is a truism, but doesnโt mean it has to be applied always. Weโve all definitely been in a situation like this before as studentsโฆ Love how thought-provoking these two pieces have been Kendall!
Hahahahahahahahaha this was freaking awesomeeee!
Kind of depends upon the student in my mind, & how seriously they've been taking the class. Love the poem. I'm feelin' it from both sides.
Mic drop! Thoroughly schooled! As a teacher of excuse makers this resonated strongly
And there's the clap back!!! Well done Kendall!!
I canโt possibly top DJโs comment - the perils and pleasures of post-pandemic pedagogy, so I wonโt try. I did enjoy the just desserts vibe of the piece and loved the Thomas R Guskey quote and your comment below it!
As a sessional galley slave who understands the perils and pleasures of post-pandemic pedagogy, I find your work in this vein especially compelling, amusing and insightful. Great work!