In Summary

For my final Portfolio Assignment, I wanted to write a poem that follows my journey through this class. I summarize my most important feelings at different points and what lessons I was learning along the way. I then conclude with how I'm feeling now. Enjoy:

Ah, multicultural, so we meet again
It seems so soon for this to end
I started out the semester mad and annoyed
Due to the problems I tried to avoid.

I wanted to focus on solutions, not disruptions
Somehow I just didn't see the connection
Between identifying my biases and become better
(Maybe I just wanted the letter)

However, I've since realized my logical fault
Jumping to conclusions will only halt
My process of becoming a teacher
I need to step back and start looking deeper.

I started out with a goal, quite non-specific
"Make my classroom simply terrific!
Safe, open, full of trust
Surely there's nothing else unjust!"

Little did I realize quite the extent
to which I humbly needed to repent.
My own discrimination prevented me
From being the best that I could be.

Little by little as we unpacked
each topic, each lesson, I was taken back
at how much I didn't understand
at how much I never considered beforehand

Being "non" isn't the same as "anti"
I need to be an advocate, not an ally
Passively standing by won't cut it
which I definitely didn't want to admit

Regardless of my spiritual beliefs,
for my students, I'm a source of relief
I may not agree with their choices,
But I can stand up with their voices.

It takes a lot to put aside one's pride
But that's expected, I'm on their side.
There isn't a doubt, the list can go on,
There's just one question to ask before we're gone

While pondering what I learned this year,
I thought I'd get some help from my peers.
So I sent out a link, with just one question
"What was this year's biggest lesson?"

The responses soon came pouring in
And as I read them, I began to grin
We're all very different as you can see
But something in this class touched us deeply

One student exclaimed all hunky dory
"There's more to people than a single story!"
Another pointed out, completely joking
"We're all racists!" (I'm simply quoting)

In all seriousness, we've learned a lot
And have Dr. Draper to thank for our thoughts
"Celebrate differences", "Fight for social justice"
"Do what we need, so our students trust us"

As future teachers, overall, we recognize
we're all still just a bit unwise
As sometimes we hurt or offend,
But it's all about love in the end

So no matter where we end up teaching
Remember, it's about the students we're reaching
So don't get discourage or mope around
And don't let life get you down

Even if there's much to fix, the world is a dump
(I mean, come on, we just elected Trump)
You might begin to think, that's it, we're doomed,
But the best place to start is in our classrooms.

As I now go on to student teaching,
My extend is now far-reaching.
I'm excited, determined, to make a difference
I put aside my own self-interests.

I may not get it right my very first try,
But no way will I idly standby
My passive ways are in the past
I'm ready, driven, and steadfast.