Why "Teachers Write" Is So Important To Me

Every year since it began, I've joined Kate Messner for Teachers Write.  I do this for several reasons. First, I have the opportunity to write for me. Second, I have the opportunity to be led and guided my many of my favorite authors. Each of them have so many different styles and things to teach us. Most importantly for me, is that I learn so much to take back to the classroom to teach and encourage my own students on their writing journey. I have always hoped I was getting through.

Yesterday, ended my school year for me. I am having double knee surgery on Monday. This meant turning my classroom over to a sub for the last three and a half weeks of school. I've been trying to prepare my students, and myself, for the last month. I cry every year when they leave my classroom for the last time. Friday was an emotional roller coaster as I had former students coming and going as well as my sixth graders all day. But I have one student who is very quiet and has always had a beautiful writing style. She above all my students touched my heart in a way no other student every has. Below is her gift to me.  This is why I will always participate and encourage other to join Teachers Write.

A Poem for Mrs. Stiles

One day I walked

into a room

labeled Language Arts

where I could learn

how to put pencil to paper

and unleash the magic.

The magic that waits

beneath the white,

so my messy scrawl

could burn through

the snow-colored shield.

The little candle

in my pencil

could melt through the paper.

And the worlds I’ve gone to

through thin black crevices

in the pages of books

are extraordinary.

And I loved Language Arts

through the first school.

Elementary school.

And it was almost as great

as the library

where I could travel through

little black lines

in otherwise blank walls,

into worlds of magic.

For those years

my candle burned

in the same little room

in the same little school.

Then,

A new, bigger school

where I could see the sky

through patches of blue

in the hallway.

In middle school 

where I headed

to Language Arts

my heart in my throat

because my teacher would be

an author,

who had wildfires in her pencil,

and knew how to

burn through the paper

and create portals

to other worlds,

where anything was possible.

And I only had my candle.

She welcomed us

I liked her

in moments.

I was glad

she was the one chose

to show us how to burn through

paper

with flaming pencils.

Mrs. Stiles

I look forward all day

to Language Arts

where anything

is possible.

And we can write

About spinning torrents of wind

and flames unquenchable.

Neat, orderly writing

Or wild, imagined tall tales.

Poetry

with rhyming sequences

and corresponding syllables.

Or free

like an eagle

flying into the flaming sunset.

You helped my candle

grow into a flame

dancing on a torch.

You’ve been a great teacher,

Thank you for showing me

how to put pencil to paper

and unleash the magic.

The magic that waits

beneath the white.

Now my messy scrawl

can burn through

the snow-colored shield.

Thank you.

I’ll see you next year.

Good-bye,

and good luck.

Madison B.