I’m a public school teacher and I’ve seen some shit.

I’m a public school teacher and I have contemplated walking away and never looking back. More than once.

I’m a public school teacher and I will never be paid my worth for the service I provide to take care of children and teach them how to live life well on top of academics.

I’m a public school teacher. I don’t get to choose who I teach. Sometimes I have students who have needs that I have no idea how to fill. But I’m a public school teacher, and I will never stop trying to figure it out, anyway.

I’m a public school teacher. I have students who have grown up and become doctors and lawyers and photographers and small business owners, and so much more. I have students who have served our nation in the military. I have students who have become public school teachers.

I’m a public school teacher and I have attended the funeral of one of my students. I can still see how she wrote her name at the top of her paper, and I think about that a lot.

I’m a public school teacher. I have former students who are now moms and dads. And they are good parents.

I’m a public school teacher. I have former students who still tell me I am their favorite teacher. And it’s not because I was ever perfect when I was their teacher, it was because I was human.

I’m a public school teacher and my students have always been my favorite teachers. They have taught me how to become better in my role. They have forgiven me when I was wrong.

I’m a public school teacher and I sing with my kids, and I laugh with them, and sometimes I even cry with them, too.

I’m a public school teacher and I’m so damn proud to be one.

Melody McAllister 3/17/26

***No AI involved, just my heart in a moment of reflection.

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