A Teacher’s Dream

Thomas Hemminger

April 14, 2024

If I could tell the world my dream

I wouldn’t need any words.

I would simply point to my students

all grown up, and thriving

in the world that is their own.

I would commend the third grader

who once struggled to read

now enrolled in a doctoral program.

I would celebrate the child of divorce

whose fourth child graduated

high school as Salutatorian.

I would applaud the middle schooler

who lived for choir but couldn’t match pitch,

whose own choirs just earned “Sweepstakes.”

I would marvel at the high schooler

who almost dropped out, but is now a

high school guidance counselor.

I would shine the light on the single mother

who finished her high school diploma,

whose children are now entrepreneurs.

If I could tell the world my dream,

I wouldn’t need any words.

I would simply point to my students

all grown up, and thriving

in the world that is their own.

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His work has been published locally in Dallas, as well as in The Wilda Morris Poetry Challenge, The Texas Poetry Assignment, and The Poetry Catalog. His personal hero is Mr. Fred Rogers, the creator of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. It was through America’s favorite “neighbor” that Thomas learned of the importance of loving others, and of giving them their own space and grace to grow.