The theme of this poetry from the public is optimism for the upcoming academic year.

On June 24, 2022 in New York City, students’ backpacks are shown in a classroom at Yung Wing School P.S. 124. Images by Michael Loccisano for Getty remove caption

switch to caption Images by Michael Loccisano for Getty

On June 24, 2022, in New York City, students’ backpacks are shown in a classroom at Yung Wing School P.S. 124.

Images by Michael Loccisano for Getty Let the beauty we adore be what we do, the poet Rumi said. Many instructors are lured to their classrooms as the new school year begins simply because of that passion.

At Morning Edition, we’re also debating it.

NPR’s Poet-in-Residence Kwame Alexander says, “I love my job, and my job, of course, is to change the world, one word at a time.”

Morning Edition requested poetry from listeners expressing their hopes for the next academic year.

More than 400 poetry written by parents, kids, and teachers then entered the room. In one, a pupil promised to pay closer attention to their teacher. In another, the author pictured himself or herself learning to drive this year. The vow to be there for their students and for themselves was repeated in several teacher replies.

Alexander combined entries into a poem that embraces all the stress, joy, and anticipation that might accompany the first day of school.
This Year Shall Be Different by Alexander can be read or heard above.
This year will be unique.
I want to impart to my kids the idea that the future is still bright.
And that resilient, twisted, eccentric, and caring youngsters like themselves will succeed.
I wish I could dry their tears.
Face all of their worries.
Go where the need is.
Give them a voice and options, and try to hire a happier home.
then prevent effective instructors from leaving.
Since we are fostering a more civilized culture,
I swear to cover the wall stain this year with paper.
Locate one additional study table in the hallway.
Restock the door’s supply of bandages.

Keep extra, peanut-free snacks on hand! for certain The knowledge of millennia has been categorized and put into a learning management system; grade the papers, keep an eye on your anxiety; When your papers are unfolded, put your backpack in order. Focus on the big questions in a culture that values quick fixes. Sit with you as you rage against the world.

You see, I have colleges to visit this year.
math to do, teachers to bore
Essays to compose, teachers to court
citing sources and tying shoes
To look important people in the eye
Quizzes to finish; be careful not to err.
Must learn to drive and how to apply the brakes firmly.
I need to make my bed, and my room is a disaster.
I need to teach my daily routine to my parents.
And when I get a moment, I could ask a writer to stop by.
I have long examinations to take and pals to make.

A’s to chase, a new hairstyle to get, homework to complete, no haiku, sports to play, tests to ace, birthdays to celebrate, and discussions to mediate before meals and breaks.

There are aspirations to pursue and ambitions to believe in.
And I have to maintain my smile throughout.
I have to apply everything I’ve learned from last year.
Consequently, life can be filled of numerous joys.
I need to open a lot of doors.
Planning lessons makes them interesting.
Children to look after make them feel at home.
Building communities gives them a sense of security.
This year, I’ll inhale the air that blows through the trees and smell the grass and leaves.
Recognize that I also have myself to please by taking a step back.
I’ll aim to make a lot of snap decisions this year.
And to keep your thoughts from colliding, try to be hopeful.

Reach out to young kids. Be an icon. crouch low. agree on something. Keep informed and in the future Set the air purifier to on. To release the air from yesterday, open a window. Make this space a place where opportunity is ignited.

After a week, I’ve already labeled every file and set our chairs in a four-person formation.
Hanging a hall pass outside the door and laminating soothing posters
An vintage chair from a neighbor, a cuddly pillow
I placed them in the space’s nook adjacent to the free rug.
I completed my Compliance Training just in time.
saw the spotless Wellness area, which represents our new paradigm
I’ve located the copy room and printed the rosters.
I sent my syllabus, including with links to Zoom, to the boss.
I have coffee pods on the shelves and chocolate on my desk.
We’re going to do it this year: look after our mental health.
I promise to wait in line, raise my hand, show respect, and pay attention in class.
welcome my classmates, study the new curriculum
I’ll prosper because…

I want to demonstrate to them that they are deserving, that their physical characteristics—skin, muscle, heart, mind, or manner of loving—do not diminish their worth, that the world is full of exquisite variation, that the death of any person is painful for everyone.

believing is as necessary as breathing, speaking is an act of courage, discovering is more important than knowing, listening is a gift to the other, and so on.

that being correct is not as essential as loving.

But if I had to pick just one item, I believe I’d be content if I could spend time with friends and somehow rediscover who I am.

This collaborative poetry was made possible by contributions from (in alphabetical order):
Californian Liam Alsbury, San Luis Obispo
West Reading, Pennsylvania’s Mary Arguelles
Ijamsville, Maryland’s Sydney Bastian
Valparaiso, Indiana’s Naomi Bosman
Phoenix, Arizona’s Lucy Bullington
West Hartford, Connecticut’s Shannon Daly
Dallas, Texas’ Jill DeTemple
St. Peters, Missouri’s Diane Fingers
Houston, Texas native Bethany Gorman
Haslett, Michigan’s Pam Gower
Virginia’s Williamsburg, Usiah Greene
IL, Morton’s Cadence Hornsby
Houston, Texas’s Devan Kalra
Akron, Ohio native Chrissy Macso
Boston, Massachusetts resident Emily Marvel
Houston, Texas native Carolyn McCarthy
Indiana, Indianapolis, Blake Mellencamp
Fort Collins, Colorado’s Neva Foy Neva
Gilbert, Arizona’s Madison Podesta
St. Louis, Missouri’s Jing Qiu
Reisterstown, Maryland’s Autumn Sadovnik
Massachusetts native Mary Sitze
N. Smith, Peton, Colorado
Silver Spring, MD resident Eva K. Sullivan
Bucks County, Pennsylvania’s Brett Vogelsinger
Pennsylvania native Leslee Wagner
Reena Advani, Nell Clark, Jacob Conrad, Shelby Hawkins, Marc Rivers, and Jeevika Verma edited and produced this article.

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