Back in the day teachers were respected. They were mini-pillars of society
They had mastered the look that would stop a sixth grader in their tracks for any perceived inpropriety
Conservatively dressed with clunky heels and glasses on a chain dangling from their neck
With a raised eyebrow suggesting that the answer on that last problem, you may want to double-check
This applied to all subjects until middle school’s first day of class and all were in the gym sitting on a bleacher
When a whistle shrieked through the cacophony of noise and there stood the girl’s PE teacher
Standing a stout five-foot six, wearing no wedding ring and a manner that said you’ll play field hockey and like it
But first you have to buy those ridiculous onesie gym uniforms that never seem to fit
Under her watchful eye the girls all marched into their locker room to change and then hone up on their volleyball skills
And beginning to understand those whispered rumors that at night between the sheets it wasn’t a man that gave her thrills
But that was then and this is now. Schools have lost their vision of education first
Teachers have evolved into a group that collectively practice active shooter drills should worst come to worst
Students are no longer disciplined for chewing gum and running in the halls
They are now trying to survive the daily stress of learning, forming relationships and avoiding racial brawls
Athletes are worshiped beyond belief and the pressure to put out on demand is never ending
Young women who long ago gave up on the Disney Princess idea are now looking to achieve love with whatever is trending
Enter the new breed of teacher who just might be enlisting kids into their new Everyone is Welcome Club
Open to all students who are tired of fighting off handsey boys, with adolescent longings in need of a friend, and the ones who are truly bothered by the in-crowd snub
Pamphlets are available and written to say a student has a right to question their identity
Rejecting the ideals of their parents and having someone new and exciting to focus on their needs is the clubs offered amenity
School hiring practices are now open to newcomers with no experience, look different and have no felony criminal record
The school board, smug with their new-found power bow to the union’s ultimatums and how the achievement tests were scored
So the lonely kids are easy prey to the alternate lifestyle activists when all they’re really looking for is understanding
Will soon become confused voices in the turbulence of society shouting the requirements their new-found genders will be demanding
An Observer of Life in Bad Poetry 