I am following #VerseLove at Ethical ELA. A few days ago the prompt was taken from a poem by Clint Smith (linked here). Spending time back in my home town of Jackson, MS always brings up memories. When I was 15, I spent my summer volunteering at a church sponsored camp for underprivileged children who were referred by their teachers as struggling readers. The experience launched me into a lifetime career of teaching. Do you remember why you became a teacher? or whatever your chosen career? Why do we make these choices in life? How do we know it’s the right choice? I’ve always known teaching was right for me.
Something You Should Know
after Clint SmithI became a teacher the summer I turned 15,
volunteering for “Operation Life Enrichment”
Ole’!We gathered the underprivileged children
from the dregs of Jackson Public Schools–
children struggling to read and know things
like zoo animals and swimming pools and reciting
the ABC song.Their skin was the color of cafe ole,
smooth caffeine
that entered my veins in their hugs,
their fingers in my soft blonde hair.I learned how to cradle their heads,
singing to them
the lyrical language
of picture books.I knew then
Margaret Simon, draft
as I know now
my passion, my calling, my purpose
is teaching.
Reflections on the Teche 