in honor of teachers

~ jama

“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” ~ Japanese proverb

Hooray for September and a brand new school year!

As a grade school student, I loved having new clothes, fresh school supplies, putting covers on assigned textbooks, making sure my quarter for lunch was safely stashed in my coin purse. I could hardly wait to open my spiral notebook and write on a clean page with a freshly-sharpened No. 2 pencil.

Most of all, I looked forward to meeting my new teacher.

Reading The Teachers I Loved Best by Taylor Mali and Erica Root (Doubleday BFYR, 2023) brought to mind my own favorites, making me appreciate them even more.

In his uplifting rhyming ode, Mali celebrates the extra-special, dedicated educators (classroom teachers, principals, librarians) who leave a lasting impression on all of us. “A great teacher is anyone who makes you work hard — harder than you ever thought you could — who makes you want to be better than just . . . plain . . . good.”

He goes on to laud their willingness to go above and beyond to bring out the best in their students, whether coaching from the sidelines to instill confidence, gently pushing to keep them on track, or being demanding “with the goal of commanding understanding.” The teachers he truly loved most were the ones who challenged and inspired him to give his all every single day.

He mentions his science teacher, who had the class dramatize the way the solar system worked, an art teacher he madly loved who dressed in “white paint-splattered smocks all of the time,” and every music teacher he ever had who encouraged him despite his bad, off-key singing voice.

Passionate teachers — who love what they do and let their students know they are loved for who they are — make the greatest impact.

And love is at the center of every great teacher’s lesson.
If you’ve ever had one, then you know they’re a blessing.

Erica Root’s emotive, whimsical illustrations feature a diverse group of teachers and students interacting in various settings (laboratory, classroom, soccer field, theatre), while a rainbow motif underscores the themes of inclusion, hope, love and friendship. Kids will enjoy seeing themselves in the pictures and singing the praises of the teachers who continue to motivate and inspire them.

I feel lucky to have had several memorable grade school teachers. I loved my kindergarten teacher, Miss Fujimoto, mainly because she was my first (I didn’t attend preschool). She made a timid student feel safe and more confident in the classroom setting. Favorite part of the day? Snack time (graham crackers and milk) and nap time (on denim sleeping bags). Finger painting was pretty cool too.

Wahiawa ES, where I attended K-3.

I also loved Mrs. Seki, my fifth grade teacher — and was devastated when she went on maternity leave half way through the year. I wrote her a letter telling her so, and she took the time to write back several times. How I cherished those letters, written in her perfect cursive with “Laura Seki” on the envelope. She made me feel special having a teacher penpal.

Kaala ES, where I attended grades 4-6.

Finally, there was Mrs. Whang, six grade English. Her reputation preceded her as being very strict, even ferocious. Naturally, I was terrified. Bottom line, she was strict and demanded only the best. Lots of homework, tons of reading. But her class was my favorite because I loved books, earned good grades for composition, and learned so much. Most memorable project: acting out the first chapter of Little Women (I got to be Jo and Mrs. Whang even cracked a smile at our group’s performance). Earning Mrs. Whang’s approval at that early age encouraged me to pursue writing and literature in college.

So, Taylor Mali is right: the best teachers are the ones who make you work the hardest, go the extra mile. And of course he should know, as a poet, author, educator, performer and teacher advocate extraordinaire.

So tell me about your favorite teacher(s) – at any stage of your education. How did they affect the trajectory of your life? I don’t think it’s possible to honor them enough!

And thank YOU, teachers, for all that you do!

*

THE TEACHERS I LOVED BEST
written by Taylor Mali
illustrated by Erica Root
published by Doubleday BFYR, March 2023
Picture Book for ages 3-7, 32 pp.

Bookshop
Doubleday BFYR

♥️ Enjoy this video of Taylor Mali reading the book:

*

Lovely and talented Margaret Simon is hosting the Roundup at Reflections on the Teche. Mosey on over to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being served up around the blogosphere this week. Have a nice weekend!

“If you have to put someone on a pedestal, put teachers. They are society’s heroes.” —Guy Kawasaki

*Interior spreads text copyright ©2023 Taylor Mali, illustrations © 2023, Erica Root, published by Doubleday BFYR. All rights reserved.

**Copyright © 2025 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

34 thoughts on “in honor of teachers”

  1. I didn’t know that Taylor had this poem made into a picture book. It’s delightful! Some of my most memorable teachers were the ones I didn’t like. Ha! But I’ll always remember Mrs. Massey, my high school choir director. She was poised and tall and made each of us into better singers. She emphasized listening. Because of her, I am still singing in a choir. She encouraged a passion already in me. Thanks for sharing your favorite teachers. I am feeling some sadness in retirement that I am no longer someone’s favorite teacher. It meant more to me than I realized.

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    1. Mrs. Massey sounds wonderful! And so nice to hear you’re still singing in a choir! Taylor’s book reassures all good teachers, retired or not — that they will remain favorites in the minds of their students always. I’m sure you have many former students who’ll never forget you!

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  2. Perfect timing Jama! Going back to school this coming Monday as a mentor/tutor for 4th graders who fall behind… needed the inspiration as I’m still in “summer mode” 🏝️

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    1. Good for you, Juls — wishing you a great year helping those who need a little extra encouragement. Fourth graders = such a fun age to work with.

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  3. Yay for books about outstanding teachers!! I am going to seek this out. My favorite teachers were mostly English teachers, although I also particularly liked one of my Latin teachers. Memories of bad teachers often stand out, so it’s nice to tap into those happy memories!

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    1. I don’t think I had any really bad teachers — just some I liked better than others. Same here — my faves were mostly English teachers, and then in college, creative writing professors.

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  4. All wonderful here, Taylor Mali’s book 📕 art, and your early school pics and inspiring teachers! Loved my 4th grade teacher who transported us by reading aloud novels and filling the wall with our writing and art about them. One book was “A Wrinkle in Time” and I really wanted to slip into that 4th dimension… Thanks Jama! ☺️

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  5. WOW!! Thank you so much for this delightful post today-as if I didn’t already adore your work but now you are recognizing teachers! Triple love to you !!!

    I finished my teaching career this past May and while I miss the teams I was lucky enough to be part of, the hundreds (!!!) of children I taught over the years, and the social connections made at my schools, I do not regret leaving “the troubles” of teaching behind. I taught all my years in public schools in Arizona and the state legislature here wants to push parents toward charters and take the dollars with them-I am a firm believer in parent choice but don’t leave other children without resources for learning please.

    Enough ranting-thank you from my full teacher heart! Just one more thing-I think we all have a little teacher in us…if you want to volunteer to help children read, check out the Experience Corps website-part of many cities and AARP. Its so helpful to struggling readers and no teaching degree is needed. Just your heart and your smile!

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment, J! Congrats on your retirement– I’m sure it was a bittersweet milestone in your life. I hear you on the charter schools issue and am also concerned with the current regime (no longer a democratic administration) moving to abolish the Dept of Education altogether. Teaching these days is fraught with many trying issues, not the least of which is school safety/shootings. Children should NEVER have to feel unsafe about being in school!!

      Thanks for mentioning the Experience Corps (new to me). Will check it out! And thanks for all your years of dedicated teaching!!

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    1. Wow — Sister Damien sounds like she deserves a special medal. 50 students sounds enormous! I don’t know how teachers managed with such big classes.

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  7. Wonderful book and wonderful post. I’ll have to find a copy of this and read it. My high school choir teacher was demanding and a perfectionist. I loved how hard he made us work and how he challenged us. Thanks for the post.

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  8. Thanks for sharing this new-to-me book. I have been lucky enough to have many warm and wonderful teachers during my life, including Miss Akers, my first grade teacher who invited the whole class to her wedding. Brave woman!

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  9. What a delight to read this post. I absolutely must share it with colleagues and friends that are teachers. Thank you for the love notes to your teachers too. I aim to be a teacher that helps move a student along their path in all the good ways this year.

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  10. my favorite teacher is my high school English teacher, Mrs Lesnick. She was young starting fresh with the freshman as the literature teacher. We had her all four years developing in me personally, a love of classic novels my favorite being Great Expectations. My French teacher, Mrs Quinn was another favorite. She was a very petite older teacher whose love of France made all of us feel like we were living in Paris! And lastly, Sister John, our history teacher at St Raymond Academy whose favorite saying was “Nations rise and nations fall.” I feel that my love of historical fiction came about from all three of those most memorable high school teachers!

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    1. Wonderful to hear about your favorites, Joanne. I had a great French teacher too and really enjoyed her class. Did you listen to recordings where you had to repeat certain phrases in the lab? “Où est la bibliothèque?” They’re burned into my brain! Sister John knew of what she spoke: our nation is falling . . .

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  11. (from Heidi Mordhorst):

    I hope this book sells a million copies and that Taylor keeps enough and gives the rest to really great teachers who are underpaid. My 9th grade English teacher, a Deadhead who made us write an essay every single week and whom I have scoured the internet in search of, was the teacher who made a difference to me. Anybody know Jeff Harrison (NOT Jeffrey W. Harrison the poet)?

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    1. I hope you’re able to track down Jeff someday! I’m also curious about some of my old teachers, many of whom are probably no longer alive but it would be nice to learn what happened to them in any case.

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  12. Thank you for sharing this book. I hadn’t seen it, but now I want to get a copy! I remember the names of every one of my elementary teachers and can still picture them and how they made me feel. I only remember a few of my junior high and high school teachers- mostly the ones who were my favorites (like my seventh grade crush on Mr. Crock), and the one I didn’t particularly like. Teachers play such an important role in their students’ lives. Your posts are so amazing. I always look forward to them! Linda

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    1. It’s pretty much the same with me — I can remember all my elementary teachers, but draw a blank when it comes to junior high especially (except for one or two). Must have been a result of weird adolescence. 🙂 Fun to hear about your crush on Mr. Crock (did he know?). You probably earned good grades in his class!

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  13. Thank you for sharing this book. I hadn’t seen it, but now I want to get a copy! I remember the names of every one of my elementary teachers and can still picture them and how they made me feel. I only remember a few of my junior high and high school teachers- mostly the ones who were my favorites (like my seventh grade crush on Mr. Crock), and the one I didn’t particularly like. Teachers play such an important role in their students’ lives. Your posts are so amazing. I always look forward to them! Linda

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  14. What a delightful and lovely book!

    I remember loving Mrs. Nelson, my Kindergarten teacher. At home, I spouted her wisdom regularly: “Mrs. Nelson says it’s impolite to interrupt.” (I’m sure my mother discreetly rolled her eyes and thought, “As if I never taught you that…”) 🙂

    In second grade, I adored Mrs. Bunnell because she was sweet, had the happiest of smiles, and her name reminded me of bunnies.

    In third grade, I loved Mrs. Schulz. She was kind and reminded me of a very young version of my grandmother.

    In eighth grade English, my teacher (Miss Collins? Why am I blanking on her name??) told me I had “a knack” for writing and creating dialogue after I turned in a story about a girl who fell overboard in the Bermuda Triangle. 🙂

    In my junior year of high school, Mrs. French told me I was an amazing writer. I had never really felt “amazing” at much of anything before.

    In my freshman year of college, Dr. Pfeiffer made history come alive for the first time. He told mesmerizing stories about the people and events. (Why was high school history class always dates, film strips, and coaches telling us what would be on the test?)

    Thanks for the trip down Educational Memory Lane, Jama!

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  15. LOVE reading about all your fave teachers, Karen!! Wow, what a goldmine. I LOVE Mrs. Bunnell’s name (I would have thought about bunnies too). And what a story about the Bermuda Triangle (I can see why your teacher was impressed). We are grateful to Mrs. French for recognizing your talent and encouraging you so that we can now read your amazing words!! You’re so right about high school history being mostly about dates and film strips, etc. (and memorizing the textbook). In college, I enjoyed Dr. Cubberly’s class — he made French history come alive. Plus, his name reminded me of bear cubs and hugs. 🙂

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  16. Jama, I finally had time to visit with you at your blog. Thank you for sharing Taylor Mali’s new book. It is always exciting to hear Taylor read his work. I have seen him several times at conferences and have spoken to him privately. Taylor is truly amazing and I am sure that his students must have adored him.

    I enjoyed school throughout my life. The teachers who I adored were creative, caring, and knowledgeable. These people were mentors. As I moved through high school, and college, it was these teachers that guided me to become a teacher.

    PS: Once again I fell asleep before clicking send. Sorry!

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    1. How lucky you are to have met Taylor in person! He does sound amazing and has always been such a fierce advocate for teachers and teaching. The best lead by example, after all. 🙂 Thanks for visiting and commenting, Carol!

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  17. Oh, how wonderful! Thank you for showcasing this wonderful book, Jama, and spreading the teacher-love. Enjoyed the peek into your fave teacher memories. Out of the blue the other night, I had a dream with one of my favorite teachers in it (!); she brought the best out in me, encouraged my writing like no one else, and she had high expectations and a reputation not unlike your Mrs. Whang. She was my middle school English teacher, too – Doris Jarvis. Such a treasure. I adored my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Ashton, and had several college professors who expanded my horizons, especially William Rogers, an English professor who had the most influence on me. (Jeff’s younger brother had him at Furman, too – he was also an English major – and he said their class just referred to him as “The Sum,” as in “The Sum of Western Knowledge.”)

    XOs to you and all the bears et. al.!

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  18. Love hearing about all these inspiring teachers, and your dreaming about Doris Jarvis is perfect timing. 🙂 Imagine being called “The Sum” — what an honor!!

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