Great Teachers

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For Ron Smith and Joy Bevan, wonderful teachers.

“Great teachers make a difference”

Is a cliché but it’s also true

And I’ve been lucky in my life

For of great teachers I’ve had two.

There are many mediocre minds

In the world of education

Who labour and plod through the day

In drudgery, conflict and resignation.

How lucky then for me that I had two

Whose impression has never passed:

One was my guide through realms of gold;

The other led me into the distant past.

I’ve thought upon what made them great,

What characteristics they did share-

Intellect, knowledge and passion too,

But mostly it was that great word “care”.

They were as different as people could be

In their style, method and mind:

One was controlled, focussed and planned,

The other gentler, more warm and kind.

But these were only the surface things

Easily obvious to the eye.

It was the deeper things that lay beneath

That the superficial couldn’t belie.

What they taught was important to them

But so was the individual too;

It was that deep, personal approach

That most especially shone through.

They showed that care year by year

As students came and went.

Most like me turned and walked away

And never thought to turn back to give thanks.

I have long known the debt I owe

But sadly now one has died

And I have much regret that I never said

That in my heart her legacy abides.

But to the other I acknowledge my debt

For skills both unique and rare

And thank him with all of my heart

For his talent, commitment and care.

So whilst it might be a cliché to say

And abused by being too freely dispensed,

I will spread far and wide that I know

That great teachers do make a difference.