From the short to the tall,
We teach them all.
From the big task to the small,
We do it all.
 
No matter what the job is,
Runny noses and sob-es,
Trigonometry and Hobbes; . . .
No keys to the classes,
No plans, no Nurse’s passes,
Few "Pleases", plenty sasses, still:
We do it all.
 
We have to "capture" their attention,
EVERY student works, without abstention,
Then, we count our pennies, without bennies or a pension, when:
We do it all.

Retired and returning, or
New to teaching and still learning,
Fire drill or school IS burning; . . .
ALL positions we (quote)"Sub" for,
Work those pencils to the nub for,
Some few we get a hug for, when:
We do it all.
 
A "Sub". . . is just a sandwich,
Or a big underwater can—which is 
Not at all like a Teacher On Call—respected, and expected,
To do it all.
 
We ARE Teachers, mainly; IA's and Office staff too,
But wherever we go, Education's what we do!
We know our job is crucial:
Someone who can see thru a ruse will
HAVE to answer that Call...  and so:
We do it all;
We do it all.                                

     --Rick Harlan, Substitute Teacher, Seattle