They ask me why I teach,
And I reply,
"Where could I find more splendid company?
There sits a statesman,
Strong, unbiased, wise,
Another later Webster,
Silver-tongued,
And there a doctor
Whose quick, steady hand
Can mend a bone,
Or stem the lifeblood’s flow.
A builder sits beside him-
Upward rise
The arches of a church he builds, wherein
That minister will speak the word of God,
And lead a stumbling soul to touch the Christ.
And all about
A lesser gathering
Of farmer, merchants, teachers,
Labourers, men
Who work and vote and build
And plan and pray
Into a great tomorrow
And I say,
I may not see the church,
Or hear the word,
Or eat the food their hands will grow.
And yet – I may.
And later I may say,
“I knew the lad,
And he was strong,
Or weak, or kind, or proud,
Or bold, or gay.
I knew him once,
But then he was a boy.
They ask me why I teach, and I reply,
Where could I find more splendid company?"
Why do you teach?
Please share your inspiring stories with Tulip Canada. You inspire students from the days before today, and those in your classroom, gazing attentively as you teach, engage and share a bit of yourself, your knowledge and hope for tomorrow.
They Ask Me Why I Teach,” by poet Glennice L. Harmon, in National Education Association (NAE), Journal 37, no. 1 (September 1948). The image provided is the depiction of the teacher who inspired the poet was also provided by the NAE.
Lori Ann Comeau is a career coach for the education profession, founder and president of Tulip Canada, offering a boutique of recruitment services to support both the education community and the profession. Follow her on twitter at @tulipcanada or Facebook.