I’ve been going through “stuff,” which means many colorful and labeled folders in the file cabinet. You know, those papers you file away because they are so critically important you couldn’t possibly part with them, and then you never look at or think of them again?

I’ve always been a fan of poems and quotes, and I had three full file folders of those treasures to read. So far, I haven’t thrown one away.

I found a couple I can share with all of you, my readers. Next week is National Teacher Week, and the 5th is National Teacher Day, and following is a poem for the occasion:

Unity

I dreamed I stood in a studio

And watched two sculptors there

The clay they used was a young child’s mind

And they fashioned it with care

One was a teacher—the tools he used

Were books, music and art

The other, a parent, worked with a guiding hand

And a gentle, loving heart

Day after day, the teacher toiled with touch

That was deft and sure

While the parent labored by his side

And polished and smoothed it o’er

And when at last their task was done,

They were proud of what they had wrought

For the things they had molded into the child

Could neither be sold nor bought.

And each agreed they would have failed

If each had worked alone

For behind the parent stood the school

And behind the teacher, the home

Author unknown

Reading it took me back to my teaching and parenting days, and how important both roles were in a child’s development. I thought of my special students and my kids special teachers. We formed a team along with the bus driver, coaches, cooks, office staff, administrators, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends.  Truly, “It takes a village”.

Here is another find to hopefully make you smile and scratch your head at the same time;

A disgruntled schoolteacher handed in her resignation with the following comment: “In our public schools today, the teachers are afraid of the principals, the principals are afraid of the superintendents, the superintendents are afraid of the board members, the board members are afraid of the parents, the parents are afraid of the children, and the children are afraid of nobody.”

There is probably more truth in that than we like to admit, but this particular teacher was quite bright and clever to put it in words. All I really know for sure is that all involved deserve a lot of respect and kudos for working together to grow responsible, productive adults.

When you see teachers during this well-deserved National Teacher Week, give them a smile and “Thanks” to let them know you notice and appreciate them. I sure do!

Until the next time: Live while you live