"Clap When You Land" Class Imitation Poem

During a lesson on author's word choice in dialogue within narrative verse, my class and I created this imitation poem based on a verse from the novel "Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo. Frequently, teachers feel overwhelmed and overburdened by the expectations and climates within our school but how often are we able to see inside the thoughts and perspectives of students? This poem was an eye-opener for me.

The Classroom

In this cell

-void of joy-

put to work for all the day

craving freedom to relax

but stopped

by papers stacked a mile high

Poet X

 During the last school year, I transitioned from being a middle school English and reading teacher to my current role as a literacy coach. My decision to do so was impulsive rather than calculated, as I was unhappy with my school's culture and climate and contemplated moving to another school or advancing to high school. I contacted a friend who had made a similar change a few years earlier to ask about her experience. She informed me that there were available positions at her school and that she had already spoken to her principal about me. Without much thought, I sent him an introduction email and my resume that same day. He responded promptly, asking if I could meet him the next morning. Not questioning my luck, I quickly replied yes, met with him the next morning, and accepted a literacy coaching position I had not applied for. Luckily, my meeting included the current literacy coach (Kim F), whom I would replace since her husband was being transferred. Kim F suggested to the principal that I should be the literacy coach.

I was equally excited about a change and terrified about entering a new role. Within a week of accepting the new position, Kim F invited me to sit on a Literacy Committee meeting. She wanted me to see the dynamics of the group since I would be taking it over. As soon as the meeting started, I was overwhelmed and worried I had made the wrong decision. High school was completely different from middle school, and I felt like an outsider. The teachers were different, and the conversations were about topics that I was not familiar with. They were discussing ways to get students more engaged with reading and literacy. One of the English teachers was very vocal about wanting to create opportunities for students to express or demonstrate original works. Another suggested a Poetry Slam, which I had no idea how to lead, and shared a clip from a documentary called "Louder Than a Bomb." I was so moved by the clip that I embarrassingly cried, as did half of us. The librarian rushed to grab some books to share with us. She brought back some books by Jason Reynolds and a few others but specifically chose a book she wanted to read to us. She read Poet X, and the words spoke to me.

Just a few verses in, my perspective had changed entirely. I was in the right place, and these were the people I wanted to work with. I related to Xiomara, not in experiences, but in personality and resiliency. Twin had gifted Xiomara a poetry journal, and it was the place where she wrote what she could not say. I felt connected to this character because, like her, I was the teenager who wrote my emotions and feelings in my journal instead of sharing them with the world. They were safer there because I did not have to worry about anyone else's reaction to them. They were secretly tucked away between the pages of my journal and only mine to judge.

After attending the meeting, I purchased and read the book in one sitting. Although it may seem silly, the book brought back my passion for teaching and uplifted my spirit. I was fortunate to be at the right place and time and welcomed new opportunities with open arms. This feeling has stayed with me throughout the course, and I was pleased to find Poet X as part of our curriculum. Despite facing some challenges this year, I hold on to the same feelings that led me to my new role and look forward to any and all opportunities that lie ahead.

Will They Connect?

The day I delivered my youngest son, my oldest son was already 16 years old. My husband and I had always yearned to have a daughter, so after having four sons, we decided to give it one last shot. Fortunately, we were blessed with another son, which initially brought me relief as I was comfortable raising boys. However, my joy was soon replaced by concerns about the age gap between Stevie and Kaleb. Numerous questions plagued me - would they be able to form a strong bond? Could they connect on a deeper level before Stevie departed for college? Would a teenager even be interested in a baby? My mind was filled with doubts and apprehensions. 

Stevie has always been a beacon of positivity, but I could not help but worry if a new baby would change our family's wonderful dynamic. Would Stevie be embarrassed if I took a newborn to school events and track meets? However, as soon as Kaleb was born, all my worries dissipated. Stevie's love for Kaleb was instant and unwavering. They were like two peas in a pod, and Stevie would rush to Kaleb when he returned from school. He was an exceptional help with Kaleb, always willing to change diapers, feed him, and help put him to sleep. Stevie's friends would even come over to play with Kaleb, and it was a joy to watch them all interact. There was something magical about the bond between Stevie and Kaleb - an unbreakable connection that only grew stronger over time. Whenever I struggled to reason with Kaleb, Stevie had a way of getting through to him. Even during the challenging times of potty training, Stevie's words would magically make Kaleb want to do it. 

As I reflect on the close relationship between Stevie and Kaleb, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. However, as Stevie prepared to leave for college, I could not help but worry whether their bond would remain as strong. However, my fears were quickly dispelled as I witnessed their unbreakable connection. Kaleb bears a striking resemblance to Stevie, not only in his looks but also in his personality. Their bond is so strong that no distance can ever come between them.

Meeting My Son

When asked to think about the pivotal events of my life, I immediately remembered the memories I shared in my Reading History assignment from CRIN R21. My seven prominent memories include the following:

1. My parent's tumultuous divorce has burned a mark in my memories. My father was addicted to drugs and alcohol, so we had to hide out in my grandparents' house so my father would not take us.  
2. Moving away from my grandparent's house when my mom remarried was another moment I remember as clearly as the day it happened. The move out of state felt like another divorce to me. 
3. I met my husband in high school. We attended rival schools, and he chose to compliment me while I was arguing with my current boyfriend at the time. Thankfully, my boyfriend did not hear him!
4. My husband and I continued to date throughout high school. He was two years older than me, so he left for boot camp the summer between my junior and senior years. We continued a long-distance relationship, with him flying home for my prom and graduation, but I feared he would grow tired of the distance. However, when he came home for Thanksgiving break during my first semester of college, he asked if I would marry him over the break. I begged my pastor, and we organized and held a VERY quick ceremony a week before he headed back to A school and I headed back to college. I finished out my semester and then moved to be with my husband and continued my education there.
5. The birth of my first child! Stevie was a complete surprise, but we were so in love with him. We lived in Hawaii then, so the first few years of his life were spent on the beach, hiking volcanoes, and eating good food!  
6. The birth of my twins! The pregnancy was planned, but we were completely shocked when we found out that we were having twins. I delivered five weeks early, and Liam and Logan had water in their lungs, so the first two years of their life involved multiple respiratory concerns, hospital stays, and breathing treatments. My husband was deployed for 11 months, and I struggled with postpartum depression, so it was a happy but very difficult time for me.  

Kaleb and Gavin: My youngest son, Kaleb, was about five months old when my oldest son, Gavin, first came into our lives. He attended school with Stevie, and I had seen him at track meets and other events at the school, but we had yet to meet officially. After a football game, Gavin, Stevie, and some other friends decided it would be funny to "dingdong ditch" some houses in our neighborhood. The cops were called, and when the cop, a friend of mine, learned who Stevie's parents were, he delivered all the boys to my doorstep. After some tough love and some parent phone calls, all the boys, except for Gavin, left with their parents. Gavin did not have a parent to call, and we learned he had been living out of his truck in the school's parking lot. He confided in us that his father had never been in the picture, and his mother, who suffered from mental health issues, had abandoned him the year before. He stayed with us that night, and my husband and I spent most of it discussing what we would do. We immediately concluded that we would offer our home to him, but we did not know what would or should come next. Thankfully, he accepted our offer immediately, and we worked together to determine the next steps. We contacted his school counselor, who determined Gavin qualified for the McKinney-Vento Program. Because Gavin was forced to survive for over a year independently, he initially struggled with the rules and expectations of living in our home. However, we never gave up on each other and worked through the struggles together. Those struggles that began 10 years ago bonded us together forever, and he is my son.