250/365

i care about you more than i care
about how well you read or take notes.
i care about your thoughts more than i care
about the grade you might be chasing.
i care about you more than i care
about what you think you need to do
to please me or make a good impression.  
i care about your authentic self more than i care
about the mask you feel you need to wear.
i care about your fears and anxieties more than i care
about the brave face you feel forced to put on.
i care about your culture and identity more than i care
about the ways you assimilate to be one of the gang.
i care about your language more than i care
about you getting it right in class.
i care about you more than i care
about getting through the content or the curriculum
unless that curriculum is a reflection of you.
i care about you finding peace more than i care
about you staying up at night stressed that you  
might not be good enough.
i care about you more than i care
about notebooks, checklists, or rubrics.
i care about this trust we are building
more than i care about
just about anything in my life.

i am here for you and this poem is to let you know.
all you need to do is reach out and be there for me too.