Poem of the week: On First Knowing You’re a Teacher by Peter Kahn

The classroom’s unpredictable demands provide surprisingly poetical inspirationOn First Knowing You’re a TeacherRobert’s not coming in, my boss tells me.I’m sitting sweating in a windowless office,a stack of résumés eye-balling me, stinkingup the desk – I’m first screener and sleepyin this stuffy box. Would you be able to leada workshop on résumé writing? I’m 22and my own résumé got me the most boringgig at Jobs for Youth-Chicago. Some of the “youth”I’d be teaching are nearly my age, but there arewindows, and people, in that classroomso I nearly yell, yes! 30 students look at meand 45 minutes later look to me and I’m hooked.And I’m floating and anchored at the same time.For the first time. And I’m whole and brokenopen. And I’m spinning and stunned still. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2020/jul/20/poem-of-the-week-on-first-knowing-youre-a-teacher-by-peter-kahn #poetry #books #culture #teaching #education