Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
We’re home! We spent two fabulous weeks in Scotland, and I’m so grateful for the trip! I will share some photos eventually. Meanwhile, I’m happy to be back to Poetry Friday. Here’s a poem I just shared with teachers in my September e‑letter. (Are you subscribed? See the right sidebar if not!) It’s more of lyrical prose, I guess, and it’s based on specific experiences of teachers I know and schools and libraries I’ve visited this year. As the new school year gets underway, I’m just filled with gratitude and admiration for all of you teachers (of all kinds) out there and for how you’ve kept kids safe and learning and loved over the past two extremely difficult years. Click on the image if you’d like a downloadable, printable pdf.
And for lots of wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Kat Apel!
14 Responses
That is a wonderful poem, Laura. ThankYOU! I share your sentiment and will share your post to express it. (And Scotland!????)
Laura, teachers need praise and support moving into this year. Your poem is a tribute for their perseverance as teacher awakeners! I will share your poem with educators that I will work with this year.
Thanks, Carol!
Laura, your poem moved me. Congratulations on your upcoming and 2nd book on loons! I enjoyed following you on FB on your vacation in Scotland. Thank you for sharing your poem and inspiration.
Thanks, Gail! And thanks for coming along virtually on our Scotland travels :>)
Thank you for honoring teachers, Laura. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!
Your poem is a gift to teachers who are absolutely heroes!
They did so very much to keep things going! I heard often from my granddaughters (grade school) & even my grandson in college, how extra things were done during that time. You’ve shown it well, Laura!
Thank you for the poem. I can’t wait to hear more about Scotland.
This is wonderful! Thank you. I will share this with my teachers. We’ve started a new year of “not quite normal yet.” Staff shortages is a big challenge right now. I’m jealous of Scotland. Can’t wait to hear more. I’m daydreaming of a PF writers retreat to Scotland someday.…oh, that just sounds so good!
Thank YOU, Linda, for all you’ve done and continue to do. I hesitated to write this thank you note/poem as if this were all finished, because it IS still ongoing, and nothing is quite normal yet. The virus and crisis are waning, but there are still so many ongoing and residual obstacles to overcome! If parents, administrators, and the public expect educators and schools to be able to function exactly as they did back in 2019, they’re just going to be disappointed. I want all educators to know how deeply I respect and admire all their extraordinary efforts during the past 2–1/2 school years–but, boy is it true that extra efforts continue to be required of them. I’ve been thinking of educators so much as school’s started back up. Extra hugs to you and all doing everything you can to support students–and each other!
OH, a PF writers retreat in Scotland. I could never afford it, but I will sure dream about that. It sounds amazing!
Having done my final year of teaching virtually during 2020–21, I say thank YOU for this recognition of all teachers did/do to keep schools running!
Coming from a family of educators, I completely relate to your gratitude list! Adding thanks for their courage to face the board meetings full of vitriol; to support their librarians’ choices of books in their schools and classrooms; and to pivot as they re-think unit plans when their students stumble. Yes, thank you! They are my heroes!