Be Somebody's Hero

Photo by Kat J on Unsplash

We can craft the perfect classrooms

School supplies neatly arranged

Bulletin boards that deserve awards 

But it’s our hearts that need to change.

Lesson plans are all aligned to standards

Chromebook lessons set to go.

Google Apps?  We have it covered. 

But there’s something else we need to know.

Why does Joey seem so lonely?

Why doesn’t Anna have a friend?

Patrick stopped by to chat with me.

Is he avoiding lunch again?

Why is Carmine so impulsive?

Something about Ella doesn’t seem quite right. 

I’m worried about John again.

What happens when he goes home at night?

Future doctors, authors, and lawyers 

They’re all sitting in our class.

So, too, is that child who’s struggling

Who just can’t seem to meet the task.

Sometimes when we  think about students 

We think that their problems must be small.

They don’t have mortgages or bosses.

Sometimes I think we don’t know our kids at all.

Teachers, as we are heading back to school 

I have one wish. I have one prayer.

If we do just one thing well

Let it be the way we care.

Let it be the way we arrange seats

To help our students make a friend.

Let it be the way we show patience

When Mary forgets her work again.

Let it be the way we keep going

Even when life has dimmed our smiles.

Let it be the way we show grace

Even a teenager’s just a child.

So as we start another school year 

We may wish our paychecks had another zero.

But remember our real value 

Is to be somebody’s hero.