Tina Cane on the creation of "Teacher, Teacher"
I was commissioned by The Total Teacher Project at Bryant University
to write an ode to teachers for their annual conference in August. While I loved the idea
of celebrating teachers in a poem, I wasn't too keen on writing such a poem. Since I am a teacher myself.
it seemed disingenuous to make the attempt. I do, however, have access to children through my program,
Writers-in-the-Schools, RI and through the school that my children attend in East Providence. I chose
to approach the teachers at our neighborhood school, Myron J. Francis Elementary. I gave a brief primer on odes and invited
interested teachers to have their students write odes as a classroom or extra credit activity.
In June, i received about a hundred odes and, during July, I read them all, pulling a line, word or phrase from each--it was important
that every student be represented, even if they were to remain anonymous. Finally, I read the phrases I had collected, settled on a
refrain and began arranging the words into lines to form a poem. The end result is "Teacher, Teacher," a poem composed entirely of
children's own sentiments.
Their candor and humor and love confirmed what I already knew: That they would write the better poem!
I recruited my own children to record and take turns reading the poem. I think they did a wonderful job.
I hope this ode helps to remind teachers, as we start the school year ,that they are valued by the people
those who count the most.
music:
atticus allen
outro, 38 Special "Teacher Teacher"
