The Teacher

                As I neared my planned retirement, I began to think about all the students I had taught in 33 years.  There were so many and I enjoyed getting to know all of them.  (Yes, ALL, even though some won’t believe that.)  I wrote a piece which may seem self-indulgent but I share it because I think all teachers wonder what happened to their students, and none of us are good enough at going back to teachers that made a difference in our lives.  I have talked to some but not all of the difference-makers in my life.  Take the time – you will gain much from it.

THE TEACHER

By John M. Skogstoe

Year after year they come into his life

Some bring joy; some bring strife

The ones he remembers brought both it seems

But they also brought their character,

Their exuberance and their dreams.

He thinks often of the students he knew

The ones who shared their hopes and fears

Their laughter and even their tears

The students who became like sons

Loved and cared for, those special ones.

As he nears the end of his teaching career

He wonders if they still hold him as dear

Do they think of the times, good and bad?

Do they ever miss him, do they ever get sad?

For all those times they shared from the past.

Do they wonder how he's doing

Like he wonders about them?

Or is he just a part of the past

With memories grown dim?

He still cares and he wants to know.

If you think of a teacher from somewhere out there

Get in touch now and tell him you still care.