Irony interests and excites every AP English Literature teacher I know. The defying of expectation in character or plot, the twists of deception, the nuance of regret, the way shadows fall against the backdrop of romance, each singular thread pulled to create the tapestry within a novel, play or poem is what we feed upon from August to May, what we present to those hopeful students who plod through Dostoevsky and gasp over Miller, who acknowledge the majesty of Woolf and Ellison alike irregardless of their divergent settings. This week I ushered my students, those brave souls willing to sit for three hours of an exam to sift through metaphor and imagery and opposition and unlock both literal and emotional meaning and then craft their own response to texts. It is a lot to ask of anyone. I tell them I love them as I leave them under their proctor’s watch, and in that moment, I am so proud of their resolve to crack open this test and shine onward, for they are readers, now a rarity residing in our republic.

Teachers are a kooky lot. We corral and coerce, correct and captivate, show compassion and caring, encourage creativity and questioning all before 9:00 am. And during this one week we are celebrated, this year in particularly comforting, as the school budget vote was defeated twice over the last few months. I say this without irony. People are struggling. Taxes are exceedingly high in our state right now, perhaps our legislators thought with a narrow vision a few years ago when they put into motion what has now come into scrutiny, but as a whole county we are also struggling. I watched a very seasoned lawyer with a recognizable last night on TV last night not answer any question put to him in regard to gun violence or if he would prosecute those who defiled our Capital on January 6th. He pivots exceedingly well. This morning I read the latest rants of the would-be tyrant decry anyone he deems an opponent. In truth I am too interested in joy to linger in the mess of these liars and traitors, but drama and irony do tug occasionally, right? Today I am buoyed by all the parent support that is making our time with their children gratifying. Daily we are happy recipients of their gifts.

What do you say America, how about we consider paying our teachers a living wage, tip our servers with generosity, support our nurses who work ungodly hours, and stop allowing the billionaires in our country free rein to not pay taxes?  And while we are at it let’s ignore these buffoons who respond to every direct question with an untruth, (which used to be called a lie)? Perhaps that would set us on a sustainable course?

Your children, as least those who have reflected with Shakespeare’s Hamlet, who have survived the harrowing journey of the Joad family in The Grapes of Wrath or crept along with the Finch family’s unearthing of racism in To Kill a Mockingbird, these students of mine, they deserve a school that stands proudly, doing its part to educate the next generation, so that they may discern between the rock and the hard place that is clearly left in their way.