What Comes First

Dear Teachers,

I've been on such a journey to get where I am today
And I'm still moving forward in my own thought out way
I've finally realized that the message I want to bring
Is one that quite truly makes my heart sing.

If while I'm giving you these words of mine
It inspires you to find your own in good time
Then my work with this piece will surely be done
And will make us all wonder what our kids can really
become.

The one thing I've learned that informs what I do
Is a simple statement that I will now share with you
We teach kids first and second comes the rest
The subjects, the content or, even a test.

I find it's important to ask of all that I plan
Why will the kids want to do this? Will they feel that they can?
I need to see who they are in order to know
What I can give them so that they might grow.

If we've not joked together, not shared a laugh,
not picked on each other then it gets really tough
To make those connections and learn what we need
To teach to our kids to ensure they succeed.

I tell them I'm stumped, that I don't really know
That I'd like them to help, that I'd like them to show
What knowledge it is that they hold deep inside
What experience they've had, or what new thing they've
tried.

Then they will feel they can share with me
Moments of joy and such fabulous glee
Like when Emily ran up and sang about saying hello
and what is your name, she gave it a great go

I warned, careful, it'll get stuck in your head with such ease,
And she said, that's ok I love learning Chinese!
So I hope that right now, I've inspired just one
To think of your kids with that great sense of fun

To find out who they are a little bit more
Because that is what really is at the core
I can't tell you how important it is to hear laughter
To teach the kids first, and all the rest after.