No Walk in the PARCC







Professional development at its’ best

on a Friday afternoon

the little ones long gone

and we are huddled for a meeting

preparing for PARCC tests

next week.

My brain is drained

my bones are tired

and my spirit lags

knowing we’ve spent all year

differentiating,

focusing on vigor,

creativity,

and voice.

Only now to test 

uniformly,

rigorously,

’til death do them part.

With rules upon rules

and secure measures taken

ensuring chain-of-custody

for the sacred tests.

No teacher reading

No books

No grading

No reading

Just hover

watching

every

student

so

no

one

cheats.

Madness.

I crave,

sensibility,

respect,

rationale,

and the opportunity

to

just

focus

on

teaching.

I crave

love

for 

learning

instead

of jamming thermometers

into students

to measure

and test

and collect data

precious data

profitable data

that can be used

to tell

whatever story

they want

about 

students

and teachers

and failed schools,

while charging us 

for the privilege.

I crave 

a reset

on learning

on schools

on the narrative of teachers.

Once heroes

now saddled

and blamed

at what expense?