A Thank-You Poem For My History Teacher

Dear Mrs Chan, Thank you for all the things You’ve clearly explained and shown And even more for all that You left me to find out on my own. Thank you, when I pestered for an answer, For standing your ground and holding firm – I know you want me to explore Because that’s the only way I’ll really learn. Thank you for exposing me To the subtleties of the English language Certain connotations, small differences in meaning, Always looking for the precise word, the precise usage. Thank you for encouraging me To abandon the cowardly-conventional view To look for something I believe in, something new. Thank you for all the sour, unapproving frowns You shot, threw, thrusted and sent my way They worked wonders To keep my illogical misconceptions at bay. Thank you for your aptly-set standards – A challenging but never impossibly-high wall. You make me love a good challenge You make me want to give my all. Thank you for lighting up the bulbs In my stupid little mind When I didn’t get it, you connected the neurons manually And occasionally unwind. Thank you for all that you’ve done You make History lessons so much fun. Thank you, Mrs Chan! You’re the BEST!