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She could have ignored me or let me be

No time to investigate or see about my history

She could have let me sit and never find out what I knew

Or teach me anything just to see what I could do

She could have given up because my class was too loud

Or walked out and not turned back because that was surely allowed

But she decided that I was worth it all and she hung around to see

I bet she didn’t know her teaching, was actually breathing life into me

As I looked into my classroom this afternoon, I thought of my 7th grade teacher. As I made every effort to help a couple of students who didn’t seem to want to be helped, I thought of her. I tried to think of those days when she taught me, loved and cared for me. This poem is a dedication to her and all that she did for me, and so many others on the south side of Chicago. I will always be indebted to her tireless days and nights she devoted to me. Her inspiration lives on within me as I aim to be the teacher to my kids, that she was to me. As the Lord gives me strength, I aim to put love in action, as she always did so beautifully. #payitforward

In Love,

MLB

John 3:16