Are We There Yet?

© Sandra Quigley

Give all your teachers freedom to teach

And no worthwhile goal will fall beyond reach

Teachers have what children need

To grow and to flourish, to learn and to lead

Professionals all, in practice and name

But we don’t operate exactly the same

There must be room for us to express

The tone and the tenor, the vault and the press

Force put, our teachers can do the lock-step

But it’s about respect…    Are we there yet?

Common assessment is common indeed

Small room for differing talents or needs

Calendar outlines can serve as a guide                           

But usually serve to shorten our stride

As for resources, its people we need

To guide and to teach, to nurture and lead

To plan and prepare, we must have the time

To serve all our students, make each of them shine

We’ve asked and been answered, but the formula’s set

It’s about respect…  Are we there yet?

So let’s just re-think what the data has done

It casts a long shadow when it blocks out the sun

Renew our resources with our hands and our hearts

Re-think what’s been done and make a new start

We give all we can, but we don’t always get

The respect that we ask for…. Are we there yet?