I Wasn’t A Teacher by Rae Iolene

I Wasn’t A Teacher

I wasn’t a teacher. 

I was driven by light-bulb moments,

and coloring with crayola crayons. 

I wasn’t a teacher. 

I learned I just wanted to make a difference, 

to hear, I’m actually excited to write about this!

Or, Wow, I can’t believe I read an entire book. 

But I wasn’t a teacher. 

I am burnt out and undone. 

By apathy and manipulation. 

By trying too hard and not enough. 

However, I wasn’t a teacher. 

She says, Thank you for helping me. I didn’t know.

I didn’t know accommodations existed. 

I wasn’t a teacher. 

All I am is a woman,

left behind and forgotten 

But I wasn’t a teacher, 

Okay? 

xx. Rae Iolene

8 April 2026