how we got to now

how we got to now

the student’s backstory

By Henry(ˈhenrē) H. Walker

who we are is not Athena(əˈTHēnə),
sprung full-grown from Zeus(zo͞os),
rather who we are is
the sum(səm) of our experience(ikˈspi(ə)rēəns),
including with what we were born(bôrn),
how we’ve been treated(trēt),
and what decisions(diˈsiZHən) we’ve made,
that long painful(ˈpānfəl) journey(ˈjərnē)
from before where we are now,
to the challenges(ˈCHalənj) we live these moments,
to the hopes and fears(fi(ə)r) the future(ˈfyo͞oCHər) throws back at us,

I want to live the moment with my students,
I can live it better if I understand the backstory.