My dad is a teacher. Everyone thinks he is this mean, cruel teacher just because he thinks differently. I've heard the names that he is called in the school halls. I'm sure he has heard them too. I feel bad for him. He's been through a lot. People don't know what his life is like. Sometimes I don't even know what his life is like and for God's sake I'm his daughter.

  He comes home everyday like everything is okay. Deep down I can tell something is bothering him. I feel bad. I cant do anything. All the kids that disrespect him, make fun of him, or help spread rumors don't know him. They don't know why he is like that or what his life is like.

  This is the only job he can get. It doesn't pay well but its just enough to keep us living, something I'm truly thankful for. My mom isn't in our lives so its just my dad, me, and my baby brother. The kids don't understand him.

  -Dad's POV-

  Everyday is the same. I wake up, get dressed, feed the kids, drop the baby off at the babysitter's, and then take Gracie to school with me. She is 14 and is old enough to understand a lot of things. She hears what kids call me. I can tell she feels bad. I'm sorry she has to listen to her peers say things about me like that. I don't mean to seem cruel but that's just how I teach. I want them to learn and obtain knowledge by being the best. so like their coaches push them to be the best, I push them too. I care about everyone of my students.

  They forget that teachers are humans too and that we have feelings. Most things I just brush it off but sometimes its hard. You may not believe it but I was broken too. My wife cheated a few years ago and left me with both the kids and no money. I worked so hard to keep us off of the streets but of course the students don't know.

  The disrespect from a good majority of the students totally sucks but you kind of get use to it.  But with every group of bad kids there is always at least one good respectful kid. and that one kid changes your whole attitude when they walk in. Usually they are always polite and have good manners. They may not know how much they change your day.

-Respectful kid's POV-

  I was brought up in a good loving home. I was always taught to be kind and never disrespect anyone. Even if they are mean to me. I have never gotten in trouble and usually get picked on for it. I'm always on top of my schoolwork too. Never missed and assignment and always getting A's or B's. That also causes people to call me a teacher's pet. It's not my fault the teachers like me.

  But I also get picked on because I'm different from everyone. I'm a bit bigger and I'm not the prettiest. I haven't had a boyfriend even though I'm in the 10th grade. Every girl in my grade has had at least one by now. maybe more. That's okay with me. If people cant like me for me, then its not worth fighting it.

  I love my teachers. Even the one everyone calls cruel when really he isn't. He is very nice you just have to respect what he expects for you as a person and student.  People call me out for liking and enjoying his class too. I try and let all of it go because I want to live a happy care-free life.

Please, spread kindness, not hate.