Put On Your Capes And Teach

He says, “120”.
I place the groceries down and look at him inquisitively.
He says, “France… 120 dead.”
He says, “Shootings… bombs….dead…”
I feel sick.
My heart says, “Not again”.
I jump online.
The Eiffel Tower transforms into the centre symbol of peace.
This is social media’s superpower.
My heart says, “In times like these, is social media the only superpower we have?”
 
I brought a new shirt two weeks ago.
It says, “Love is my superpower.”
I couldn’t resist it.
My heart knows that these words speak the truth.
When I wear it I feel lighter.
Like I can fly.
Like I can save the world.
 
But who is really saving the world?
Who held the people during the bombing in Beirut?
Drew their cape across the victims of Paris?
Sheltered Syrians from impending doom?
Batman never showed.
Superman is invisible.
Spiderman spins another tale.
And let’s not start on Captain America.
 
So I ask the question again.
Who is really saving the world?
 
You have seen the other t-shirts on social media right?
The ones that say ‘I teach. What’s your superpower?’
Every time I see them I wonder who the hell buys them;
Yet something about them strikes a deep cord.
 
Teachers have superpowers.
 
Malala knows this to be true.
She says, ‘One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.’
My heart says, ‘Love is my superpower’.
My heart says, ‘Joy is my superpower’.
My heart says, ‘Hope is my superpower’.
And as a teacher I can change the world.
 
Call me naïve.
Idealistic.
Too optimistic.
But I ask you,
Who empowered future leaders this week?
Who took the sting out of that one grazed knee?
Modelled compassion, love and empathy?
Drew their cape to shelter the kid in their class from hurtful words?
Showed a child the meaning of faith?
Of grace?
Explicitly taught collaboration and communication and respect?
And most significantly, opened the eyes of the student who had never had the opportunity to see the world from anywhere but their front door?
 
Teachers.
 
So in this world marred with hate and evil,
Teachers put on your capes.
Fight with love and hope and joy,
And teach.

Image by Rob Potvin (Unsplash).