First Offender
Albert
As you entered the classroom, you very quickly stood out.
Like the precise way your shirt was tucked,
Or that you made no fuss when you found your back row seat totally
sucked.
Like your thick framed glasses aren’t just for looks,
Or that you always carry with you a variety of second-hand books.
Your
book
It seems silly to me that I care,
But when you read your book in class I find that I jealously stare.
You think I feel respected when, in your head, my voice isn’t
detected?
I’m not hurt, but I find it quite annoying
That instead of my lesson, it’s your book that you’re enjoying.
My ego
Out of all the adults, I thought I would have your undivided
attention.
“I need everyone’s eyes on me,” I probably should mention.
Then I thought to myself,
“I’ll just use proximity instead, and he’ll realize,”
But no matter how close I got, my presence you still did not
recognize!
Humbled
“Albert,” I said,
And still, that stupid book you read.
“Do me a favor, and put that book away,” I requested,
But only with silence was how you protested.
The irritation inside me erupted
Defeated
“Maybe if I give your mom a
call,” I proposed.
“Maybe you’ll participate after all,” I supposed.
Ignoring me completely,
You turned the page discreetly.
That’s the moment when I felt myself surrender,
And when you, Albert, became my very first offender.
Written by: Denisse Gastelum
Thank you for your reflection. As I read this, I felt like I was right there with you. I felt myself wanting to ask Albert if he is listening ot you or ask why he is not listening. I am wondering to myself, is he shy? Does he already know the information or is he just too wrapped up in his book? It reminds me of students I have seen exhibiting similar behavior, when I was asking the same questions then. I like how you include the use of "proximity" in your teaching, yet still it did not matter. I really like your choice of words, they help me feel the frustration and questioning right along with you.
ReplyDeleteDenisse,
ReplyDeleteI love your poem! I can picture myself watching the situation unfold in your classroom. I love the viewpoint your poem is told from. The subtitles make you wonder what you'll read as you glance over the poem, but after you've finished you notice the subtitles tell a story in themselves. Nice work!
I really like in the last stanza you say, "I propose" and then "I suppose". It helps define the change in time and the shift in your emotions. I'm very impressed. Thank you for posting your work, it was wonderful!
Thank you for sharing your first poem with us! I would never have guessed that you had never written poetry before. Well done! I love the rhythm and your creative use of rhyme. You recreate a moment every teacher has experienced. Not every "offender" is disruptive, but we still want them to learn what we're trying to teach! I guess the challenge here is to determine why Albert is ignoring you and try to address that issue, rather than just demanding compliance he clearly not going to just give. Thanks for your crystal clear depiction of one of our many challenges as teachers.
ReplyDeleteLara
Denisse,
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed this poem. I too have a few students who would prefer to read their own books rather than the assigned reading or assignments for the day. While we want them to enjoy finding that time to read for pleasure, it can sometimes be difficult to draw these students into the classroom discussion. This difficulty is often compounded when it turns out that these students are, in fact, some of the higher performing students in the class. That line can be difficult to draw, but ultimately it is good for students to understand the value in social participation, as well as personal betterment. Thanks for sharing, Denisse.
-Scott