Thursday Thirteen 54: I Will not Try to Change You

This one is for my students.

1. I will not try to change you, child--

2. Not in any way.

3. I accept that you are perfect

4. As you are,

5. Complete and whole.

6. Child, you are my teacher.

7. You teach me patience,

8. Humility, compassion, justice.

9. You don't bend; I don't yield.

10. In the space between us,

11. Lessons unfold.

12. I reach way over the edge

13. For you, and I learn.


Believe me, child, I learn.

Thursday Thirteen

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31 Comments

  1. Very poignant. It speaks of the struggles you have with your pupils, and the hope that they will really listen and really look, and know what you are offering, and what they offer to you.

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  2. Exquisite! Delicious in it's content and delicate in it's presentation.

    I do so love your soul!!!

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  3. this could relate to our children also...but need to be careful as they can learn to manipulate us whether they are our own or students. Unfortunately we or our society teaches them how to work other people. maybe that's the struggle of living. we expect the perfection from others including family members and they disappoint us and yet we want to keep on believing in the best that is in them. It's a struggle to teach and to interact but full of important lessons for all of us. love your writings, you are very talented.

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  4. Anonymous8:30 PM

    Great advice...and happy TT.

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  5. Very moving. I love the last lines so much:

    '12. I reach way over the edge
    13. For you, and I learn.'

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  6. Your students are very lucky to have you as a teacher. Very nice. Happy T13!

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  7. That's deep.

    I admire role figures who are willing to learn and acknowledge that they are still learning to their students, children, or whomever. Some people come off as if they know everything and it just sets a bad example.

    Good job!

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  8. 13 marvellous points, Sandy. Thank you.

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  9. I love the two way learning process in this.

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  10. Anonymous6:43 AM

    WONDERFUL WORDS. AS SAID ALSO A ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHER, "AS LONG AS I LIVE I LEARN"

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  11. Anonymous7:51 AM

    wonderfully written, sandy. so heartfelt. :)

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  12. That's lovely, Sandy. If only all teachers were like you!

    Peace - D

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  13. Anonymous9:15 AM

    A true give and take. Loved this one.

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  14. Anonymous9:17 AM

    Sandy, long time, I was not (operating liabilities) now I'm back here in a blog and want to greet Stevan May

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  15. Sandy, you have a lot of wisdom. Very nice!

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  16. Anonymous9:41 AM

    Excellent! Something we could all use to learn :)

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  17. That speaks TEACHER if I ever heard a definition!

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  18. Anonymous1:11 PM

    You must be a fantastic and wonderful teacher. The kind that people remember the rest of their lives!

    Happy TT

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  19. I'm not doing TT13 but Sandy just wanted to comment. Your poem is one all parents should read and live by! :)

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  20. Your T-13 reads like a lovely poem that takes me right back to my years in the classroom. ACIM says 'We teach what we need to learn.’ I’ve found that to be true and believe that all teachers are students … and all students are teachers. Learning is what EACH does … all the time.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  21. Sandy this one really pulls at my heart - for you and all teachers that reach out.
    Keep reaching...just don't fall. Belay yourself.
    Hugs.

    (Great 13. Love how you do them).

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  22. This is so beautiful. Your students must love you.

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  23. Beautiful words. I need to keep these words in mind when I'm dealing with my 4 year old. It's so true that children teach you many things. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  24. How sweet. What a great teacher you must be.

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  25. Beautifully said Sandy. Have a great weekend.

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  26. Anonymous11:19 PM

    very sweet list! it's true,we learn so much from our children.
    http://www.fickleminded.net/2008/10/08/thursday-thirteen3-momisms/

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  27. wonderful. if all teachers (and parents) were like you....

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  28. That's very nice. A lot harder to live by than it sounds but I bet you do a good job of it.

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  29. In a student's life, there 's always few professors,we'll remember forever. You certainly are one of these exceptions for some of your students.

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  30. This is a really important statement -all 13 of them. I loved it and thank you for the insight and wisdom. My husband taught 2nd grade for about 8 years before he became Tech Admin.

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  31. I love it! Great TT post.

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Thanks for being here.