This piece is dedicated to all the teachers working in the schools deemed failing, fragile, and unsafe. Simply, put. We See You, Teacher.

You go into spaces that most will not
Unheralded, unrecognized
Mischaracterized, Misidentified
You push beyond the D, the F
And you still teach, you give, you stretch
Not everything is perfect but you make your mark
You give the grace, you have energy, that spark
The same ones that turn their nose
Wouldn't even TRY to teach at that school I suppose
Because the kids at that school don't deserve a great teacher?
Like D and F schools don't have a hardworking school leader?
Every teacher at a struggling school is lazy?
They don't put in the time, the effort in daily?
Or maybe they just don't have enough PD
Maybe it's something they're missing that they can't see
Is it that teachers at fragile schools just don't care?
Is it right? Is it fair?
To paint a broad brush, to say all and every
When every school has its unique problems - a bevy
To work at a school that everybody deems as failing is heavy
An opportunity to show when provided with equitable access
Only then can truly assess
When the community bands together and refuses to lose
Then slowly but surely the scores will improve
Investment takes time
The solutions come from outside and within
Implemented with fidelity you will win
There are great teachers at "failing" schools too
You wouldn't happen to be one would you?
Whether you are you're not we all need the support
Teaching can be a brutal sport
Those who instruct in the midst of toil and defeat
You're invited to the table, pull up a seat
You have so much to offer
A gem, rare, strong, son, mother, uncle, daughter
Believe in the turnaround
It is abound
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