The Struggles of a Teacher

The struggles of a teacher are not easy ones,
it is fraught with difficulties and dilemmas.
Should one's teaching be simple? Should it be fun?
Or should it simply be correcting grammars?


There are invisible lines to keep, boundaries to be drawn,
information to withhold and heartaches to be worn.
The teacher must pursue, with all their might,
the elusive dream within their sight.

The dream that students will someday reach,
a personal self-awareness of sorts.
Alas! This goal teachers cannot teach,
but only hope our fledglings carve their lots.

For how can we teach that fleeting wisp called maturity,
where in the realm of subjects is an oddity,
Something that is neither concrete nor testable,
but empowers decisions we make to be infallible.

The double-lives that teachers live reminds me of a caped crusader,
whose unmasked life reflects a tangled mess of strings.
Still he puts on a brave front and soldiers,
on forth to save though his inner wounds singes.

Another struggle stems from higher echelons,
from the superiors in their thrones.
Coming up with ideas they think best,
new ways upon new ways to enlarge the nest.

We are then compromised,
in both our ideals and plans.
How are we to synthesize,
the two opposing ends?

The struggles of a teacher are many and plenty,
it really isn't just about the money.
While teachers first come for the higher purpose,
many eventually leave the water to surface.

So how do we stay motivated?
The answer is really really easy.
We must constantly remind ourselves,
we do not merely shape lessons ---

We shape destinies.