Tag Archives: teachers

Eighty-six days – What Good Trouble are You Making?

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‘When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.” – Late Congressman John R. Lewis

 

I finally read the entire OpEd written by John Lewis shortly before his death. It brought back Dr. Martin l. King’s last prophetic speech where he said, “I have seen the promise land; I  may not get there with you but I want you to know we as a people will get to the promise land.”

We cannot let the words of these two great men be erased from our history and most importantly from our collective conscience. We need to make sure that their dreams live on. We must exercise our right to vote and to make sure our country is under the leadership of intelligent, truthful and empathetic men and women.

I pray that COVID 19 does not continue to kill so many vulnerable Americans. I pray that I see the change in my lifetime. I pray that I can be a part of the change. We have 86 days to think about what is at stake. It is time to think big like one of my wonderful teachers used to say. He would challenge us everyday with this: “let me see how shrewd you are.” This continues to resonate in my mind.

Of course I just had to write a poem about it. Here it is.

Let me see how shrewd you are,

he’d ask us every morning.

We all knew he expected

from all of us to be

the best that we could be.

He wanted us to see

from all different perspectives.

 

He’d write a quote on the board

and made us think real hard

His methods some would say were a little avant-garde

He had a domineering voice

Everyone had to opine

We did not have a choice.

His quoted people from all walks of life;

usually someone he admired

for their leadership and courage.

 

Everyone loved him

He made learning fun and adventurous

Not once did we get tired

of how vociferous

he was.

If Mr. G is still around

I hope he knows he made good trouble

when he told us

to always stand our ground.

 

 

Here Lives a Teacher

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“A teacher is an answer in search of a question.” – Anonymous

 

 

“Here lives a teacher”

is the message

on a small souvenir

I purchased last year.

I immediately put it on a small stand by my computer;

I guess I wanted to remind me

that I am a teacher first,

and to empower

is the goal of teaching.

 

My dedication to teaching

does not matter

to many folks:

to some, wanting to become a teacher these days

is almost a joke.

Many people will poke

you on the arm

and ask,

“What were you thinking

when you made such a

terrible decision?”

 

My response is always this:

if you know me well,

you will know,

that teaching makes me younger

it fills me with joy and wonder.

It motivates me to learn more

each day in order

to prepare

to make children think and

stimulate their young minds

and above all, teach them to be kind.

 

I am retired now

and while some may scream

and yell, “WOW!”

I miss the days

of Q & A’s

and watching a student’s dream

come true

and most of all

I miss the salutation

“Hey teach! and

What are you going to

teach us today?”

 

 

 

if you thoroughly know anything, Teach it to others. T. Edwards

if you thoroughly know anything, Teach it to others. T. Edwards

 

 

 

Lessons

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Lessons

by Melba Christie (c) 2013

                                                                                                                                                                      

we look to our teachers

when questions puzzle the mind

embrace their wisdom

          

 

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Remembered

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Remembered

 

How do you want to be remembered?  asked the poet

There were three poets, one doctor and two teachers present to respond to the poet’s question.

Finally after a long silence and obvious pondering the doctor says, “I want to be remembered  as someone who took my oath seriously.

One poet said, ” I want to be remembered as a poet who wanted to promote peace.”

The other poet said, “I will be remembered as the king of the couplet.”

The remaining poet said, ” I hope people will remember me as the simple poet.”

Then the two teachers looked at each other politely and gestured one another to speak first.

After a few seconds one teacher speaks. “I want to be remembered for my patience,” she said.

The other teacher remains pensive for a few more seconds. She says, “I hope that the students I was not able to reach somehow know that

I am deeply sorry I was not able to reach them. I hope they finally know that my heart-felt their pain and that I wished I could have been a

better teacher to them.”

A few weeks ensued and the poet learns that the teacher had passed away. He was so moved by what she said that he decides to write her a

poem.

Here is the poem:

You made a mark

inside my heart

many years ago

removed my fears

and washed away my tears

 

you tried so hard

to make me see

and helped me to believe in me.

 

your love for poetry

inspired me to write poems

my rhyming thoughts

 

you did not see

the you you left in me.

You set me free with the poetry

you read so beautifully.

 

you thought I was not looking

you thought I was not listening

I hope you know

you could not have been a better teacher

you soothed my pain

and will remain

in my heart forever.