When I was in the classroom my goal was to make a difference in the lives of my students. Now, that my practice spans an entire school building, I strive to make a difference in the lives of my colleagues. A difference that I am always searching for evidence to support. Two years ago, I received the greatest gift from one my colleagues: evidence that I made a difference. A poem written about me, for me. A poem that brought tears to my eyes the day I received it, and reminds me each day of the potential within each of us.
The Power of One
The voices of many remained unheard:
Students too young to ask for better.
Parents too scared to demand more.
Teachers stifled by bureaucracy to attempt more, until One grew tired of being quiet.
A personal challenge,
A voice is uncovered!
Predicting the path ahead was impossible,
Life as we knew it was over.
Every student, parent, and teacher
Changed forever.
“All students deserve quality teachers!”
A desire to empower more teachers–
Inspire educators in high-need schools,
Encourage more minority educators to take a risk.
More teachers needed to face the challenge.
“Hold your practice up to the Core Propositions, The Standards, The Rigor.”
“Would you rather be assessed as a learner or a teacher?”
A metamorphosis commenced;
One by one teachers joined in.
The Mitchell 20 (Well, let’s be honest — The Mitchell 17) became a reality!
Supportive in every way –
Facilitator, counselor, cheerleader, videographer, observer, coach
The world we live in is changed forever.
The school we teach in is transformed,
The lives of every future students has forever been improved.
The Power of One
Impacts
A teacher, a student, a school, a community,
A future!
What might your Power of One poem say?
