Teacher, Teacher

I believe that  right now, our American teachers are facing one of the most challenging times in American History. I’m praying for them. Thinking about teachers reminds me of a speech I made one morning many years ago in a big high school auditorium in Alamance, Ohio. I believe the meeting was a kickoff for the school year and we had teachers from the kindergarten through 12th grades all together.  

I had a cordless hand mike and in selecting one teacher to pay a tribute to I had wandered out off the stage into the audience and had led the audience into a roaring screaming, foot stomping ovation for that teacher. I was about to read her a poem when she suggested that perhaps we could go up on the stage first.  It sounded good to me but on the trip up there an idea popped into my head and so when we got onstage instead of just reading the poem I got down on my knees and looked up at her just like I was one of her young students.  I read it slowly with great meaning and as I read it she was smiling but tears started running down her cheeks and then down mine.  I will never forget that precious moment.  Here is the poem. 

Teacher, Teacher 

Teacher, teacher, help me learn 
When to press on, when to turn. 
Teacher, teacher, help me grow 
Hug me, I need huggin’ so.

Teacher, teacher, give me hope 
Won’t you show me how to cope? 
Teacher, teacher, guide my way 
Teach me what I ought to say.

Teacher, teacher, I’m worthwhile 
Won’t you give me just one smile? 
Teacher, teacher you’re so grand 
When you help me understand.

Teacher, teacher, when you care 
You prove love’s a thing we share. 
Teacher, teacher, yes, it’s true 
Teacher, teacher, we love you.

– Art Fettig