Thinking of Teachers Who Make a Difference

Yet again, what “is known” (by whom?) as the “most forwarded poem ever” (the numbers of such a descriptor boggle the mind, don’t they?) has completely slipped past me until this morning. But I can see why it’s earned such a moniker. And listening to it brought me immediately back to Mrs. Adams 3rd grade class at Cork El, Mr. Fiske and Dr. Lambrecht conducting us in band, Dr. Charmian Poe scaring the living life out of me (but making me able not only to write a paper but also NEVER misuse its and it’s again. Ever.).

Thinking back on teachers in my life, I thanked God for Mrs. Miller “making” us memorize poetry and “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in its petty pace from day to day …” Mr. Kaplan and Mr. Leipold made law school fascinating me and reminding me how fun it is to THINK. And most of all, I thought of Dr. Jensen (who is simply the best teacher I have ever had in any discipline) and Dr. Olsen (from my Augustana days).

Oh, Dr. Olsen. I could hear your “Pilgrimage with Poets” as I listened to this. I felt the stab of my A- on my first test in your Black Literature class. (“You can do better than this, Tara.” You were right, but I was terrified at the time because I didn’t know you were right.)

WARNING: One profane word and one common but profane gesture included. And, sadly, at the very end he uses the phrase “God d*mn” which is the weakest moment. Still, if you can deal with those concerns, this is worth the listen. Especially if you’ve ever learned anything from anyone in your life; especially if you are striving in this season to encourage a love for learning and a passion for excellence, for doing “all things as unto the Lord,” in anyone else’s life. (Say, your kids’.)

Thank God for poets. And teachers.

HT: Seth Godin. (This is a blog that I’m definitely going to check back on. You know how I’m so lazy and tempted to discouragement and paralysis? This young man is, apparently, the POLAR OPPOSITE. Many worthwhile posts after only reading for a few minutes. And two days left if any of you extremely productive, passionate people want to apply to his (free, but I bet extremely competitive to get into!), “Let’s Spend a (Very Leveraged) Week Together.” Brings me back to my MBA/financial services/reading “Fast Company” days. Not that that’s a good thing. Just different from my current life.)