"When I Miss Teaching," by Taylor Mali

Here's a poem from "Late Father & Other Poems" (©2018 Quercus Review Press) that I had a lot of fun writing.

[@flummox3d]

That "What teachers make" slip-up was cute :D Another beautiful poem :)

[@hades217]

I will never tire of listening to people talk, in prose or poetry, about the things that they so obviously love. Mad respect to you, Mr. Mali.

[@texleeger8973]

I miss teaching grade 8 nearly every day of my retired life. Some days I even cry about the missing. I loved my students. Truly loved them, maybe even beyond what many of my colleagues felt about those never-boring adolescents. I am not sure they ever knew my feelings for them although I suppose most did. And still, and forever, I miss the teaching of them. I dream this love will follow me into infinity. I know it will not, but that is what hope is for. PS It was Earth Science, grade eight Earth Science. I gave my heart in the making of that science part of their lives. And those children gave back more than I ever could give.

[@KhunKru]

As a reacher a few years away from finally pulling up tha projector screen, turning off all the switches in the lab, and having to look around at years old my students work on the wall, this open hits a chord in my heart and it makes me dead the time when it will be the last time for me to lock that door and walk away trying hard not to look back :(

[@MidnightLillyFae]

This is my first year back in the "classroom" after a 5 year hiatus ,as I teach online. I never thought I would miss the smells of school or the sounds of children discussing assignments with each other. I'm thankful to be able to make a difference, but it comes at such a high personal cost.

[@williammahaffy9228]

I have been retired for over 8 years now, and the things that Taylor misses, I miss too. But I have thought about it a lot, and it is a lot like leaving the party when you are still having fun. Better to have things you miss than to be like those teachers I have known that stayed too long.

[@jesusmarin1489]

I m a teacher and you just made me cry

[@estel-randir]

Growing up, I dreamed of being a teacher. In college, I had a secondary ed professor scare me off of going into education. But, man, you make me ache for a career I never had.

[@AnneHLColeman]

Love this. As a teacher who is battling the third-school-year-in-a-pandemic doldrums, this hit at a sweet spot to remind me of why we stay. Thank you!

[@sms667]

Love your words my friend.

[@EricBlackmer]

Wonderful, especially in these isolated times.

[@DanaColeDares]

PERMANENT MARKER SMELL. Aaaahahahaha... did you ever have Mr. Sketch scented markers??? I love your poems so much!

[@susanmurphy9684]

I retired in 2020 ... you've described retirement sooooooo accurately.

[@fitzgeraldmcwetherspoon4172]

Think the slip-up, if it really was that, only makes this even more enjoyable

[@KevinVerberk]

I... I'm on a leave. And this made me miss teaching. I miss the near-daily visits before the start of school by that student who is still figuring out his identity, while quietly resenting the loss of my prep time.

[@calorieshunter5673]

I didn’t miss any part of your poem Its was heart touching specially the bing part before 10secs haha and I am glad to know you I would love to know you more and maybe I could learn about poem and life from you and you can light me up with a bit of your flame 😊

[@sharonclarke7011]

I retired last year. I never miss teaching. Except when...

[@texleeger8973]

Except when...as in forever...

[@terrencemcginnis3632]

Great poem!!

[@philfree4485]

Thank you Taylor😅

[@gregc7699]

Why did you leave then?

[@ericvalenzuela4708]

This sucks. Furthermore take a sip of water

[@texleeger8973]

Thank you for your considerate humane thoughts. They are a kind gift to us all.

[@ericvalenzuela4708]

Even more creepy than that one guy who lead the Heaven's Gate cult

[@texleeger8973]

One kind thought deserves another. Your gift is our blessing.