As the school year draws to a close, is there a teacher who has inspired you?
NPR's poet in residence Kwame Alexander says his mother was his first teacher. He learned from her that "teachers are a guiding hand on our shoulders and long after we graduate from their classrooms, the good ones — we still feel their touch." He fondly remembers a teacher who dared him to read 100 books in first grade and when he did, she bought him a t-shirt that showed off his achievement.
For Morning Edition host Rachel Martin, it was a high school teacher who taught her about courage and compassion.
Now we want to hear from you about a teacher who has impacted you in ways big or small.
Send us your appreciation as a poem. It can be any form — a haiku, a free verse, an epistolary, but should start with the words "Teachers make..."
Share your poem through the form on NPR's website. Then Alexander will take lines from some of your pieces and create a community crowdsourced poem that will be read on-air and published online, where contributors will be credited.
By providing your Submission to us, you agree that you have read, understand and accept the following terms in relation to the content and information (your "Submission") you are providing to National Public Radio ("NPR," "us" or "our"):
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