Teachers
By Clark Mollenhoff

You are the molders of their dreams.
The gods who build or crush their
young beliefs of right or wrong.

You are the spark that sets aflame the
poet’s hand or lights the flame
in some great singer’s song.

You are the gods of young—the very young.
You are the guardian of a million dreams.
Your every smile or frown can heal or pierce a heart.

Yours are one hundreds lives—one thousand lives.
Yours is the pride of loving them, the sorrow too.

Your patient work, your touch, make you the god of hope
That fills their souls with dreams,
and make those dreams come true.

Click here to download a PDF file of this poem.

When Children Learn
Author unknown

When children learn that happiness is not found in
what a person has but in who that person is,

When they learn that giving and forgiving are
more rewarding than taking and avenging,

When they learn that suffering is not eased by self-pity,
but overcome by inner resolve and spiritual strength,

When they learn that they can't control the world around them,
but they are the masters of their own souls,

When they learn that relationships will prosper if they value friendship over ego,
compromise over pride, and listening over advising,

When they learn not to hate a person whose difference they fear,
but to fear that kind of hate.

When they learn that there is pleasure in the power of lifting
others up, not in the pseudo-power of pushing them down,

When they learn that praise from others is flattering
but meaningless if it is not matched by self-respect,

When they learn that the value of a life is best measured
not by the years spent accumulating possessions,
but by the moments spent giving of one's self-sharing wisdom,
inspiring hope, wiping tears and touching hearts.

When they learn that a person's beauty is seen not with the eyes
but with the heart; and that even thought time and hardships
may ravage one's outer shell, they can enhance one's character and perspective,

When they learn to withhold judgement of people, knowing everyone
is blessed with good and bad qualities, and that the emergence of
either often depends on the help given or hurt inflicted by others,

When they learn that every person has been given the
gift of a unique self, and the purpose of life is
to share the very vest of that gift with the world,

When they learn these ideals and how to practice them
in the art of good living, they will no longer be
children-they will be blessing to those who know them,
and worthy models of all the world.

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Listen Closely
Timely advice for hearing with the heart
By Christina G. Brinsley

On Monday, Bill didn't have his homework
And when the teacher sked him why,
He said, "Because a monster ripped it up,
After I told him a lie."
"No Billy," said the teacher,
"You know monsters don't exist,
And if yo don't turn in your homework
No recess you will get."

On Tuesday, Billy had a stomachache,
And when the teacher asked him why,
He said, "A monster took away my dinner,
Even my cherry pie."
"Billy, I've told you once before,
Monster are not real.
You'll have to wait till lunchtime
Before you get a meal."

On Wednesday, Billy had a bandage,
Which covered his right eye.
When the teacher asked him how it happened,
This was his reply:
"A monster was running after me
When I ran into the door."
"Billy, please," the teacher said,
"I don't want to hear any more."

On Thursday, Billy refused to sit down,
And when the teacher asked him why,
Billy said, "A monster whippled my bottom,
Because I started to cry."
"Billy" said the teacher, "this is getting out of hand,
And if you continue twith these stories,
In the corner you will stand."

On Friday, Billy didn't come to school,
And when the teacher found out why,
She said a little prayer to God
In hopes Billy would survive.
For a monster had beaten Billy
And threatened him with a knife.
Now Billy lay in a hopital bed,
Fighting for his life.

So teacher please remember,
That monsters are for real.
Listen closely to kids's stories
A wounded heart you may heal.

From Teaching K-8, September 1996

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