Teaching is

Teaching is noticing a pensive 8th grader

in the corner of the room

her index finger hovering over the keyboard

while staring out the window

waiting for the words to come

teaching is laughing during lunch duty

because the Jolly Rancher I tossed his way

bounced off his forehead and landed in the applesauce

teaching is telling my story with a shaky voice

the room thick with tension

and attention

heads tilting

hands slowly raising

Teaching is a book passing from hand to hand

I finished! You HAVE to read this

I need another one,

What’s next?

teaching is apologizing

You know, I shouldn’t have raised my voice.

I was wrong.

I’m sorry.

teaching is asking questions

leaning into conversations

into discomfort

If students grow there

so do we