Sincerely, Your Student's Teacher

Dear Parents,

How is it, that I- a school teacher -

want your child to succeed

more than you do?

Because I believe in them, I say no;

when they whine and cry

it hurts my heart too,

but I know the world does not adhere to excuses.

I toil tirelessly to keep the expectations high: education is a war.

Everyday is going into battle, and every darn assignment is a clash.

Who are these students fighting against?

Some the odds, but ALL each other.

They clad themselves in community service hours like armor made of iron

On their shoulders perch extracurricular activities like arrows ready to pierce their opponents.

And in their hands gleam their GPAs like swords hungry for blood.

So again, I plead,

why do I

want your child to succeed more than you do?

The students come to me expecting free grades, extra credit,

tears to change my mind...

and because you are weak or not there, or you "feel bad"

these strategies have worked before...

YOU have trained them to be entitled.

YOU have enabled their inability to work hard.

YOU have forced me to be the bad guy....because _________________.

Fill in the silence with an excuse.

AND LET THE CYCLE CONTINUE.