Approximate reading time: 4 min
Written the 19th May 2021
Today I had
the absolute BEST of days
one where
my inner child Karis
comes out to play
Connected, relaxed
in tune with everyone
Conscious of my kiddies
all having fun
I had an epiphany
An illumination of sorts
(Just sit tight
I’m gonna tell you of course;-)
So, we teach a phonics program
that’s boring and mundane
We follow it religiously
EVERY SINGLE DAY
No tweaking allowed
to make it semi ‘cool’
You MUST follow the program
That’s the cardinal rule
When I broached this topic
When I shared my concerns
About how this fact
might influence
how our kids learn
The head of literacy
conceded that yes
“We know it’s dull”
(That’s an understatement
I get bored out of my skull)
But also, that no
“There’s not much the school can do
The department demands it
we just have to follow through”
I’ll admit when I heard this
I got irritated as shit!
When I hear things like thit
I just want to spit
A reminder, of course
why I often detest schools
silly restrictions
ridiculous rules
A never-ending litany
of things you ‘MUST’ do
So little freedom
to simply teach as you
I mean surely it’s logical:
If I’m bored passing learning on
That might explain why our students
concentration is gone
Forgive me for thinking
one of the most important things
is for teachers to make sure
lessons are…..
interesting?
It’s the whole institute of education
that I silently abhor
the structure the rigour
the lack of creativity for sure
On the odd occasion, I proclaim
“No phonics today”
It saddens me that half
my class shouts
“Hooray!!!”
No wait there’s more
my ranting is not done
I work with the lowest group
the struggly ones
Meaning all the children with dyslexia
are with me
10 years of working with them
has helped me to see
These children are so creative
they learn a different way
Finding what works for them
is the best way to play
Because when you hook into their creativity
When you make things fun
that is when more
of their learning is done
So this is the fight
I’m so often fighting in my head
The feelings of frustration
that fill me with dread
I wish I was a teacher who’d say
“Fuck it to the school!”
Do my own thing
Be a maverick that’s cool
But alas I’m not
(I do as I’m told)
Although I am trying to stand up more
be a little more bold
So, I am grateful that I had
the courage to share my views
“I don’t want to be a cookie-cutter teacher”
(this much is true)
Although it made no difference
(not one iota of a bit)
But at least I spoke up
and didn’t quietly just sit
And say nothing at all
and then bitch and complain
Like is so often done
every single day
******
Ok so my epiphany
I haven’t forgot
That was the back story
to my subplot
Today something happened
that just clicked into place
a lesson that I have taken
ages to embrace
As I sat on my chair
ready to teach (THAT lesson I abhor)
A voice in my head said
“Sit on the floor
Create a small circle
connect with them
Simply become a child again!”
So, I did just that
and I was amazed to see
all my children grinning
huge smiles at me
We had the coolest lesson
it was actually fun
The best thing ever were
the comments when done
“I love phonics!”
“Can we do that next time?”
“You’re much easier to hug”
a little girl chimes
It’s so interesting for me
to notice such a huge change
simply by shifting
the level from which I engaged
Such a clear reminder
that all children really need
is intunement
connection
and to really be seen
A humbling lesson
for me to absorb
Once I let go of all my anger
I could play a different chord
And learn the valuable lesson
A good teacher can make anything fun
and I’m proud of myself today
for getting that done