The following was submitted by a Lakewood public school teacher.
I couldn’t look her in the eyes.
For too much pain was in the way.
My heart longed to cry out to her
But found no words to say,
Fair and easy. Life, we know, has never been that way.
But even God herself could not find answers on this day.
There she stood in sorrow
My colleague and my friend
Drenched head to toe in hopelessness
A kite lost in the wind.
We found ourselves at crossing roads, not sure where to begin.
Forced to face the ugly truth that this could be the end.
Its been an honor and a privilege
To witness her devotion.
A mix of teaching mastery and passionate emotion.
For one, for all, she’s given all, a door that’s always open
Yet thanks to budget blunderings, she’s bluer than the ocean.
A district that deserts her
I say you don’t deserve her
Releasing her will ruin you but free her to go further.
And find her green pastures
One day she’ll fill with laughter
But for now we sit inside the fractured framework of disaster.
Thank you Lakewood Board of Education.
-A devoted Lakewood teacher
Nice poem though I dont get it.
Well said. Key words “Budget Blundering” – this really is sad.
My daughter is a teacher in ocean county. I know how hard she works. You wouldn’t believe the time they put in, using their own money for supplies and projects for the children. Yes, she has off in the summer, but worked a summer job because the pay… well you know. For teachers, it’s all about the children; they are the ones who will suffer. Very sad indeed. Children are our future. Take care of them.
That’s one talented writer.
Well said!!
Exquisitely expressed
Lakewood will in the end rehire all teachers. Our children are too precious.
we tax payers in lakewood have been paying over 50% of our mortgage tax for the public schools for years—but what do we constantly hear—–over 700 computers bought for the schools suddenly “disappear”—–4 million dollars are “missing” from the coffers—not enough money –not enough -not enough money—we don’t need to wonder what possibly could have happened—–we know —mishandled and misappropriated –and existing in someone’s bank account–my money—your money—stolen from the schools we have been financing —–and now the blackmail begins—threatening the employment of hundreds of educators in our city—perhaps the FBI should be investing time looking for true corruption in the public schools–and keeping the teachers employed -instead of investigating bogus private school allegations.
Sadly, the Lakewood public schools have been in a downward spiral for more than 10 years. Despite the best efforts from teachers, the widespread corruption has doomed the district to failure. Unless the federal government steps in which is highly unlikely, nothing will change.
This poem is straight ?