Barry Gelston - My Academic Journey

Share this post

Class project

gelston.substack.com

Discover more from Barry Gelston - My Academic Journey

Follow me as I share my experience going back to graduate school for an EdD at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education
Continue reading
Sign in

Class project

Expressing Maslow through Poetry

Barry Gelston
Jun 5, 2023
4
Share this post

Class project

gelston.substack.com
2
Share

For this class project we are asked as a team to use some form of the arts to express social & emotional needs of learners. We are using the Maslow hierarchy of needs. We are still in progress and my teammates may take a different approach.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

For now, here is my first iteration.


Physiological needs

I am a Time Bomb

Like a bomb on TV
I am wired to a  remote control
   
My insulin pumps 
It flows with my basal rate
   
My glucose monitors 
It checks my levels
   
Tick tock, tick tock. It checks.
Monitoring. Pumping. 
   
Alarms. 
Am I crashing?
   
Check my levels.
More sugar? More insulin?
   
Snack on board.
Feeling better, focusing.
   
My classmates stare.
Some want my food.

Look at That

Tap tap, tap tap
Legs going, I’m in rhythm
Go, go, go
   
Teacher
Wah wah, wah wah, wah wah
What’s she saying?
   
Window
Bird flaps, glides
Graceful, beautiful
   
Drumming
Paradiddles, paradiddles
Flowing, flowing
   
Bobby’s hair
Too much gel
It’s so spiky
   
Teacher calls
Who me? 
Yes, I love it. 
   
Teacher won’t stop 
No, I don't like Hitler.
Leave me alone
   
Classmates stare
Leave me alone
Flee, flee, flee.


Safety needs

I saw the news

I saw the news
That kids in school
Are not so safe
And were shot
   
I saw that kids in
Columbine 
Ate their lunch and read books
And were shot
   
I saw that kids in
Sandy Hook
Hid in closets
And were shot
   
I saw that kids in
Parkland Florida
Barricaded doors
And were shot
   
I heard the principal sound an alarm
Here in my school
We do our drills
Will I get shot


Love and belongingness needs

Be here for me

It’s okay Mom
Don’t cry
We’re fine
I’ve got you
Be here for me
   
I feel your pain
I see your hell
You’re not alone
Be here for me
   
The subway’s packed
Long day typing
Go ahead melt down, then
Be here for me
   
The exhaustion
The tears
Indignities
Be here for me
   
I am quiet
I am alone
I am so sad
Be here for me


Esteem needs

What do the other kids think

The teacher says 
That my cursive’s bad
She can’t read the squiggly lines
What do the other kids think?
   
The teacher says 
That I blurt my words
I lisp and can’t say snakes
What do the other kids think?
   
The teacher says
I should be in the reading group
I guess I struggle with words
What do the other kids think?
   
The teacher says
That I’m a good boy
What does that mean
What do the other kids think?
   


Self-actualization needs

I found my place

Phew, it took so long
Very many years
Yet now I found my place
   
Along the way
I remediated, explored, discovered
Just to find my place
   
I took on jobs
That were just part me
Hoping to find my place
   
My hopes and dreams
I pursued them all
Scrambling to find my place
   
At the end
I’ve pieced it together
Knowing that I found my place
4
Share this post

Class project

gelston.substack.com
2
Share
2 Comments
Share this discussion

Class project

gelston.substack.com
Katherine Turner
Jun 5Liked by Barry Gelston

Nothing short of beautiful. <3

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
Karen Arnstein
Jun 5Liked by Barry Gelston

This poetry made me laugh, cry, and sit in a melancholy space for a moment, reflecting on my own life and others who have these lived experiences. Thank you for providing a safe space to reflect on those painful moments in my life to remember how far I have traveled.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 BARRY B GELSTON
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing