Edge of Innocence.

Poetry 2-15-11

By Walter S. Polka
Niagara, New York

Dabblers on this edge enjoy complexity
vacillating between emotions.
Innocently, cognizant of not knowing,
but resolutely projecting perplexity.

They ignominously feign ignorance,
and know how to mask their feelings.
Innocence is their regaling retreat;
surreptiously usurping the performance.

These circuitous acrobats are tacitly tactful;
tantalizing all between trapezes.
Innocence assures like safety nets
indubitably rescuing even the doubtful.

Arduously avoiding accurate assertions,
these playful performers are secure.
Innocently, clinging to the acute edge,
yet demonstrating arrogant affectations.

Walter S. Polka

Walter S. Polka is Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Niagara University in Niagara, New York. Dr. Polka was a New York public school teacher, administrator and school superintendent for thirty-five years. He was the Superintendent of Schools of the Lewiston-Porter Central School District in Youngstown, New York, from 1990 until his retirement in 2003. In addition to his public school teaching and administration, he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses since 1970 as an Adjunct Professor at several Western New York institutions of higher education including Medaille College, Niagara University, Niagara County Community College, State University of New York at Buffalo, State University of New York College at Brockport, and State University of New York College at Buffalo.

After serving as associate professor at Georgia Southern University (2003-2008), Dr. Polka returned to Niagara University in January, 2008, to teach and facilitate the development of a new Ph.D. program in Leadership and Policy Studies.

Dr. Polka has authored several research articles related to school administration, curriculum, diversity, leadership, technology. He has presented his research about leadership, diversity and/or technology at professional conferences, meetings and workshops throughout the United States and in over a dozen countries worldwide. His recent book with Peter R. Litchka, “The Dark Side of Educational Leadership: Superintendents and the Professional Victim Syndrome,” was published by Rowman and Littlefield (2008). It is based on their research study of New York and Georgia school superintendents conducted in 2006.

Laura Ford Elrod:
Morning Glory

Zoltán Boldizsár Zeyk:
The Dance of Time

Walter S. Polka:
Our Quest

Brian Lee:
Guiding
the Pursuit
of Knowledge

Joanna Garza:
Losing a Tooth:
Dreams and
Mother

Terrell Peace:
Teachers
Make a
Difference

Dwight Langston:
Ausgezeichnete
Übersetzung

October
Vanegas Rios:
At the
ESL Academy

Mae Dove:
Teacher
Advancement
Program

Special
Methods
of Instruction

Multicultural
Issues

Classroom
Management
Concepts

Language
Development
for Educators

Classroom
Learning
Theory

Essays and Reports
by Dr. Bowles

The Association
of Teacher Educators

American Council
on the Teaching
of Foreign Languages

National Council
of Less Commonly
Taught Languages

American Association
of Teachers of French

American Association
of Teachers of German

American Association
of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese

LitTunes

Multicultural
Education
Resource Center

University of Arkansas
Curriculum and Instruction

Ron Fritze

Planet IEP

Teachers of English
to Speakers
of Other Languages

Planet Deutsch

Teaching People
of Other Cultures

Theory of Instruction

C O R N D A N C E R