By Michael H. Brownstein
Remember the fight during the science fair? I had to go to court yesterday because of it. Not really all that bad. I brought enough personal business for three to four hours. Didn’t even have to take a sick or personal day. Court – school business.
The girl in mind went for the plea bargain – a year supervision, anger management, conflict-resolution classes, mandatory school attendance, community service.
OK. Mandatory school attendance. This on a girl who ditches school, fights, curses, spits in a cop’s face, hits another girl in the jaw when she’s being restrained by another cop, etc. etc. etc.
But I was back at my desk in two hours.
The next day, the court girl was in school – doing her work. Quietly. All day long.
She’s really quite bright, you know, so we’re not giving up on her. But how do you stop someone from giving up on themself?
| Copyright © 2021 by Michael H. Brownstein Michael H. Brownstein’s volumes of poetry, A Slipknot Into Somewhere Else and How Do We Create Love?, were published by Cholla Needles Press in 2018 & 2019, respectively. |
Your closing question is a a powerful statement in itself. I am sure all teachers these days struggle with that very dilemma, especially in these Covid times. As for your part, I believe we should be treating teachers who have inspired so many as we treat those who have served our country in the military. Michael, thank you for your service!
ReplyDeleteMaik, I fully agree with your “should” about honoring teachers at least on a par with military veterans. I say “at least” because I think teachers' contributions are more valuable; so much military effort is destructive, but teaching is almost entirely constructive – “almost” to rule out teaching that is more indoctrination aimed at trying to confine children inside received doctrines.
DeleteMy God how frustrating it must be. You can see the promise in her, in them; her and the countless others that pass through those "hallowed halls" all over this country. What determines which will go on to have safe, fulfilled lives, who will spend life in prison? Or be killed, or die from an overdose? It happens every day, and you city folks especially SEE it happening every day. In less populated areas the evil seems to be thinner on the ground, not that we don't have our share. One kid kills another, and two lives are lost forever. Two boys, each 16, each with children of their own, drive a stolen car down a suburban street at ninety and are killed. Children. Gone. How your soul must ache. You can't give up; you may be the only hope they've got. Because you can't save all doesn't mean you can't save some. It's no wonder your poetry and missives seethe with such emotion.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. BUT it's not enough for teachers alone to put out the flames. We have to do this together--one force of good--and we have to remain strong and not let ourselves be distracted.
ReplyDelete