Creative Triage

Kansas English, Vol. 98, No. 1 (2017) Creative Triage Kynda Faythe Sirens clear a path to this trauma center Warning others that help is on the way Armed with only knowledge and good intentions This educator plays the role of the surgeon I am a life specialist, who bustles around in stark “school appropriate” clothing Determining the acuity rating of one’s emotional truth, justifying that this requires more attention than another’s Dispersing pencils and a thesaurus to aid the willing Sorting injured intellects into groups based on their need for immediate treatment Allocating the scarce commodity of knowledge, motivation, and unconditional love Sharing the news that someone’s ideas need the plug pulled No false perception of quality work is given in a fake, cheery voice I ensure that my voice is not intertwined with theirs Placing sutures on broken phrases Charting swollen egos Enticing those who aren’t so willing with an attempt to jolt them out of their detachment I begin to sterilize their educational wounds and promise that the lessons learned will matter This is not the run of the mill in and out experience These patients are admitted on their own accord Willingly they dive into the chaos Hearts pounding, thumping with the question “How do you move someone?” Searching for the tubes to free up their breathing Begging for the elixir to help their voices be heard I continue the sorting The ink slinging treatments The testing of spirits Prescribing an alchemy of feedback Hoping and anticipating my intensive care might make a positive difference in better papers, better thinking, and better health of these patients The bells continue to ring in another group fighting academic convalescence Prioritizing the urgent, the emergent, and erudite bodies demanding resuscitation I continue to apply the right diligence, the right time, the right care Author Biography A Bohemian-esque tomboy with a passion for stories and words, Kynda Faythe is a free-spirited advocate, teacher, author, and self-proclaimed concoction of Scout Finch, Professor Keating, with a touch of Julie Andrews. Kynda became a fourth generation educator by taking the road less traveled. After experiencing the world of Shakespearean productions and coffeehouse music, she 32 Kansas English, Vol. 98, No. 1 (2017) earned her B.S. in rhetoric from Kansas State University. A detour took her to the Pacific Northwest where she became involved with education in a different manner with Oregon Department of Transportation. After earning her M.A.T. at Western Oregon University, she wrote of her experiences with autistic children. Eventually she returned to Kansas, welcoming a homecoming of sorts into the family “business.” She has thrived in her role of teacher, coach, and educational leader at Altoona-Midway School District. Kynda is currently completing her Ph.D. in literacy leadership. This journey has made all the difference. She can be reached at Kynda.Faythe@gmail.com. 33