To a Fifth Grade Teacher

Why

When I finish the math sheets

The ones with the fractions on then

That I could answer years ago

Did you always give me another sheet?

You knew I was proficient.

You knew I wanted a challenge.

You knew that I came to school each day looking to learn

And that I could learn no more

From those stupid worksheets.

There are seven hours in a school day,

Each should be filled with the education

That my parents’ taxes pay for,

Not wasted on a sheet

That does nothing to enrich my life.

Why

When I came to you asking for harder work

Did you yell at me?

Why did you find my search for knowledge

To be a challenge of your authority?

Were you intimidated by my brain?

Why did you reject my pleas to do enrichment projects

Even after my parents called you?

To not challenge me

Is a punishment for being smart.

Today

I take a math class

With AP weighting.

I earn A after A

And I am learning.

I am at the top of my class

With valedictorian status in sight

And I am learning.

My teachers challenge me

With harder work whenever I want it;

Whenever I need it.

Not that I need it anymore.

To be a fifteen-year-old in an AP class

Is tough.

But I am learning.

I will continue to learn,

To expand my knowledge

Perhaps more than you have.

Do you still see me

As a threat?

My purpose is not to threaten you

But to give myself the opportunities

To learn as much

As I possibly can.

Despite your rejection

And your balking at my needs

I am learning.