Teaching from the Heart: Poetry that Speaks to the Courage to Teach

alt Educators! We have an exciting opportunity for you. You're invited to submit a piece of writing for a book tentatively titled: Teaching from the Heart: Poetry that Speaks to the Courage to Teach. The book will be an anthology of poems identified by educators as having a meaningful impact on how they think, feel about, and do their work. Each poem will be introduced by a short personal commentary that describes how the teacher has been touched by that particular poem. The concept of the project hinges on the idea that reading poetry stirs up an inner conversation about questions, emotions, and things that matter. Because poetry slows us down and focuses our attention—it can yield poignant insights into what is most significant and enduring in our work as educators.

This book is modeled on our award-winning and best-selling book: Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach (2003). Click here for more information, including how to submit a piece of writing.

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Comments (1)

Sep 06 2012 | William Knapp - Poem I learned in the 4th grade

EQUIPMENT
by Edgar A. Guest

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, "I can."

Look them over, the wise and great
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you've all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You're well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began,
Get hold of yourself and say: "I can."
wmknapp55@gmail.com