Mrs. Ram's Jams

I’m a teacher.
I’m not a firefighter, police officer, or soldier.

I’m not a firefighter
although I fight fires everyday.
They can start at home, in the hallway, or in the classroom.
I try to put them out before consumptive doom.
It’s my job to keep the flames away.

I’m not a police officer
although I police for peace everyday.
I’ve busted kids with drugs, uncovered child abuse, and broken up fist fights.
I’ve done everything except read students their rights.
It’s my job to keep violence away.

I’m not a soldier
although I soldier everyday–
against the bullying, hunger, and poverty facing our nation’s youth,
much like deployed servicemen in foreign countries defending our nation’s truths.
It’s my job to keep injustice away.

I’m a teacher.
I’m not a firefighter, police officer, or a soldier.

And I think we’re all a bit confused.
Since when can teachers be killed in the line of duty?
And why are we asking them to?