by Rebecca Thomas
Erica, we hear your words,
Softly spoken, finely heard.
You say you listen, you understand,
But see, our struggle still stands.
You paint the world with practised grace,
Smiling wide, you mask the pace—
Of classrooms strained, of voices lost,
While we bear the growing cost.
You say you love to hear us speak,
But Erica, our patience is weak.
We’ve shouted loud, we’ve whispered low,
Yet still, it seems, you do not know.
Our schools are more than figures, lines,
More than budget cuts and fines.
Our power, Erica, lies in hands—
The teachers’ work, across these lands.
Inspiration taken from D.H. Lawrence's 'A Sane Revolution', reminded me that we are sane educators pushing back against an irrational system - not with chaos, but with calm, collective strength. We smile because we know the power of our purpose and because we understand that true revolution is thoughtful, not reckless.
This poem represents our quiet revolution, an expression of the resistance that educators have been building for some time now. It reflects our frustration not just with Minister Erica Stanford, but with a government that continues to flood the education sector with policies that fail to address the real needs of teachers, students, and communities.
This isn’t defiance for defiance’s sake.
We are not resisting to be difficult or to hold back progress.
We resist because we care deeply about the children in our classrooms and the communities we serve. Our actions, our words, and our collective strength come from a place of love and commitment to something larger than any one policy or political term.
Responding to Policy Chaos with Steadfast Resolve
A tidal wave of reforms have been battering us; exhausting us into retreating mindsets where we are in danger of letting the pressure reluctantly push us back into compliance. Many of these reforms are built on 'sand'; poorly considered, lack robust evidence and are ill-implemented.
Charter schools are being reintroduced while public schools remain underfunded and understaffed. Te reo Māori programs are cut to fund a "maths crisis." If I wrote down a full list of these implementations it might feel overwhelming — but they all have something in common, all of these 'ideas' come from left field without and fully understanding what is truly needed on the ground (or much evidence to fully support the proposed solutions to address the 'claims').
These are not the ‘solutions’ our children need, and every time we speak up, we are met with warm smiles and empty reassurances. “Everything is fine,” we’re told. But it is not fine. Classrooms are overburdened, students are disengaged, and teachers are burning out.
We know it because we live it every day.
Despite the constant barrage of ridiculous policy changes, we are still here, not because we enjoy a fight, but because we believe in the future of education. We believe in every student who walks through our doors and the communities that trust us to care for them.
Why We Resist
Our resistance is not a rejection of change but a demand for the right change. We need solutions that address the realities of our classrooms:
Genuine consultation with educators, not just meetings to tick a box but meaningful engagement that influences policy.
Every time we push back, it’s because we know what’s at stake.
We know that every misguided policy undermines the very fabric of education that supports our communities.
When we resist, we are protecting the well-being of students, ensuring that they receive the quality education they deserve—not one dictated by political trends or budget cuts.
We resist for Māori students who need their culture reflected in the curriculum, for the students who require support in literacy and numeracy, and for those whose families trust the public school system to provide them with a fair chance in life.
A Revolution of Purpose, Not Defiance
The government might call our resistance obstruction, and perhaps some believe we are simply unwilling to adapt. But the reality is far from that. We have been adaptable. We’ve taught through a pandemic, integrated technology into our classrooms, and navigated constant policy shifts without the resources or support we needed. We’ve adapted because it’s what we do, but adaptability doesn’t mean accepting harmful reforms.
This quiet revolution is one of purpose, not protest.
We stand firm because we know what our students need, and we know that poorly thought-out reforms don’t serve them. Smiling through the chaos isn’t about acceptance; it’s about showing the strength of our resolve.
We will continue to smile back, not in surrender, but in defiance, knowing that our work matters and that real change will come from the classrooms, not from government press releases.
What We Need from the Government
If the government truly values its 'excellent' relationship with unions and educators, it’s time for genuine action, not hollow words. We need policies that reflect the needs of our schools and that are built from the ground up.
Talk to us, not just to meet quotas but to listen.
Understand that we’re not opposed to change—we’re fighting for the right change.
Every time you pass a new reform without consulting us, without understanding the impact on the ground, you make it harder for us to do the work we love. But we’ll keep doing it, because our students and communities deserve nothing less.
A Call to Unions; Smile, But Stand Strong
To our unions and educators, this is our call to keep smiling - but with purpose, with strength, and with the power that comes from knowing we are the ones who truly shape the future.
We don’t need to raise our voices in anger or rage; our quiet revolution is one of unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment.
- Let’s continue to stand firm in collective action.
- Let’s continue to challenge harmful reforms and refuse to implement policies that hurt our students.
- Let’s continue to speak up for our communities and build alliances with parents and local leaders.
This revolution isn’t loud, but it’s powerful.
It’s in every classroom where we teach not just the curriculum, but the values of equity, fairness, and justice.
It’s in every conversation we have with parents.
It's in every stand we take to protect our schools from misguided reforms.
Together, we are stronger than any policy shift or political agenda. And as we smile through the chaos, we remember why we are here: for the love of our students, for the communities we serve, and for the future we are determined to build.
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