Children are more than test scores: I went to Public-Schools

Thursday, April 20, 2017

I went to Public-Schools

I went to public schools, public universities, and have taught my whole career in those places. I owe a million thank you(s) to those teachers who taught me.
I am sure both Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Betsy DeVos would call the public schools I attended failing schools. Both could not understand why someone like me would feel blessed to have attended those public schools.
But, blessed I am to have been taught by teachers who believed we could be more,
Teachers who taught their entire careers in inequitable settings,
Teachers who had to make do without the necessary resources,
Teachers who had to teach, us the hungry, the poor, and the abandoned.
Teachers who taught every day without complaint,
And when I looked up, and said I want to go to college?
Their smiles made me believe I could.
When I was cold?
My teachers found a coat, gloves and a hat for me,
When I went to Public Universities,
I found teachers who placed wings upon my dreams.

In those public schools and public universities,
I found friends for life.
In those public schools and public universities,
I found my voice, my hopes, and faith in myself,
If it were not for my public-school teachers?
I would have fallen long ago.

Here's to every public-school teacher,
Here's to every public university professor,
Here's to those teachers who never had the resources,
Here's to those teachers who never had the professional supports needed,
Here's to my common bond, I share with 90% of my fellow Americans,
Here's to my heroes,
American public-school teachers.

Love from the little boy without a coat,
The one you brought a coat for.
Love from the little boy who had no lunch,
The one you brought an extra sandwich for.
Love from the little boy who had a dream,
The one you gave wings to his dream.
Love, love, love, and a hundred thousand thank you(s).
Jesse The Walking Man Turner