Gershon Wolf Poet Rhyme

Be Pleasant, Like a Friend

I walked into a room
  full of angst and gloom
Assignments not done
  books left at home

Said to myself 
  Be pleasant, like a friend
'Coz if you are mean
  the day will dead-end

Sure enough, wasn't gruff
  Kids breathed a sigh of relief
Apologized and promised
  to turn over a new leaf

If you've ever taught before
  You know that won't happen
But this much I'm sure
   there's truth in its wrapping --

You set the tone 
  for every class you teach
So, be pleasant, be friendly
  and for God's sake ~ don't preach

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Carolyn Devonshire March 10, 2021 at 1:59 PM Ah, so you're a teacher! A worthy calling, Gershon, though children don't always mind their teachers. The best teachers always did behave in a friendly manner, but you still have to draw a line between teacher and student to maintain order in class. You offer some great advice for other teachers! Hugs, Carolyn Gershon Wolf March 10, 2021 at 5:01 PM Maybe I had an angel watching over me; things just seemed to work out for me as a teacher (now retired). Somehow, with all my goofy ideas in class, the kids understood that I was still the teacher -- even though I was secretly one of them. Thanks, Carolyn. Take good care, Gershon

Tom Cunningham March 10, 2021 at 10:23 AM Reminded me of when i was at work, Id ask staff to carry out tasks and never had a problem. Bawling and shouting gets you nowhere. Tom Gershon Wolf March 10, 2021 at 4:56 PM Right you are, Tom: Calm, cool and collected; pleasant and friendly. That's what people want. Plus consistency. Cheers, Gershon

Kim Rodrigues March 10, 2021 at 6:51 AM Oh so true! I had to fill in for the preschool teacher. Drama was going on on the home front, between teen son and dad. For a couple hours I had to choose other people’s kids and put on a smile. God is counting on you to be wise and everything turned out fine. You are a wonder, dear poet! A gift. Gershon Wolf March 10, 2021 at 4:48 PM Thanks for sharing your experience, Kim. Filling in for another teacher is never easy, but esp. tough with preschoolers. If you have 22 kids, you've got 22 different classrooms, truth be told. My hat's off to you! Way to go!... And thank you for your kind words. Very nice of you. Kids and Kindness, Gershon

Michelle Faulkner March 9, 2021 at 7:36 PM I think the best teachers I've had followed that lesson, to encourage you to want to try your best, instead of just criticizing, (which can make eyes glaze over in an instant) - you must be a very effective teacher! Gershon Wolf March 9, 2021 at 7:41 PM Very kind of you... I think my classrooms were 'magic places' for the most part. I was lucky. I always got the greatest students! Now retired, I'm satisfied that I 'left it all' in the classroom. Thank you, Michelle. Appreciated, Gershon