I was asked to write this for a retirement reception for some special ed and kindergarten teachers. You may not understand it all, since it is specific to our school, policies, their sayings, and duties. I have been teaching elementary music for 27 years, and private piano 9 years before that. It is a pleasure to thank other teachers for all they do. Please remember this is copyrighted work. I will happily grant permission for you to use it if you:
1. ASK and credit me as the writer, of course. Leave a request below, with your state (or country, if not the USA). I’d like to see all the places this little poem travels!
2. If you print it, please include the copyright and words below it. Make no more than 2 printed copies–one for you and one for retiree.
3. If you have a facebook account, please “like” my facebook page.
4. You can also follow my amazon author page.
Thank you for reading, Wynne (wih-NEE’)
Seeds You’ve Sown
by Wynne Huddleston
No bells to alarm,
no papers to correct
no parents to charm,
nor money to collect,
no mindless repetition,
no children left behind,
no scolding, admonitions
no young minds to refine,
no discipline forms to fill,
no watching out for bullies,
no walking up the hill,
no cold morning duties,
no uniforms, no calming
kindergartners’ fears.
From SPED and I.E.P.s
to mainstreamed and Tiers–
whatever the “powers
that be” contrived–
you put in the hours
and somehow survived.
Amidst chasing rabbits,
tornado procedures,
correcting bad habits,
and calling legislatures,
you still found time to give
a smile, a nod, a touch,
a cougar buck or high-five,
things that meant so much
to a struggling girl or boy.
Now you have done your best
time to go out and enjoy,
or maybe get some rest!
But this is not the end
bells will continue to ring
and surely you, my friend,
will be reminded each spring
that the seeds of wisdom you’ve sown
will become fruitful trees
and in turn, when full grown,
will replant those same seeds.
©Wynne Huddleston 2011
Author of From the Depths of Red Bluff, Amazon.
https://wynnehuddleston.wordpress.com
Wynne Huddleston 
smiles are sweet gifts, priceless ones.
delightful piece, enjoyed the word flow.
🙂
thanks for reading and commenting!
I love your poem! My two granddaughters had one very special kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Avil in Carney Elementary School, Carney, Md., who expects to retire this year. I would like your permission to use it as a gift for her. Thank you p.s, both of them want to be a teacher “just like Mrs. Avil.”
Hi! That’s very sweet and I’m sure that since she is an inspiration to her students she was a great teacher. I have 2 granddaughters also! Kylie is 1 in a couple of days and Julia is 16!!!
I am hoping I can get permission to use your poem for a kindergarten teacher that is retiring at my school. I’d love to use your poem as it says what I want to say but so much more eloquently. Thank you for your consideration. The school is in Hanover, MN
Granted. Our kinders are having graduation programs all week. Congrats to the kinder teacher on retirement! Thanks for letting me know your location, Jen. And thanks for the facebook like : )
This is really beautiful, my husband taught Math at University, being a teacher is the most important job one can have.
Thanks! I think so, too!
This poem left me a heart felt message; for we dont really appreciate our teachers until we’re old enough to realize the lessons we’ve learnt – and by the time we are our old teacher’s age, we strive to aim the message across. This truly touched my heart, and I hope that it has for you too.
thanks! I removed the link to your address, as it doesn’t work anymore.
One of the finest poems I have read. You are quite the rhymer here, and that is where my heart lies… well, with the writer, too.
Thank you, Myke. That means a lot coming from talented you!
I work with special ed. children and the staff member I work with will be retiring; in fact, our librarian is also retiring and I wish to include both “Seeds you’ve Sown” and “Time to Re-Joyce” in our (staff/Student) goodbyes to these two wonderfully talented people. Please grant me permission to do so as your message is ever so beautifully written. You most certainly will receive credit for the written work which you richly deserve!!
Thank You,
Diane
Yes! Thanks so much for asking! I hope they like it!
[Wynne] your heartfelt, sincere poem inspired me to write my own for several of my colleagues leaving the profession! Thank you for sharing! Fond regards,
I’m so glad. thanks!
I would love to print this off and give it to my grandmother. She just retired after 30 yrs from Ragland School in Ragland, Alabama. Thanks in advance 🙂
That is very sweet of you. Of course you may!
I would love to share your poem with one of our special teachers who is retiring. You described her experience in many ways. So may I share this with her at her retirement gathering? Chris
You may. Thanks for asking! Wynne
I would like to give this poem to 3 of our teachers retiring at the end of school (Next week). May I have your persmission to give your beautiful poem to these 3 wonderful ladies who have committed their lives to teaching.
Certainly. Enjoy! Thanks for asking. Wynne
We have four teachers retiring this year, I would love to present them with a copy of this poem.
Sure! Hope you’ll mention my book, From the Depths of Red Bluff. Thanks!
I would like to use your poem for a few retiring teachers. Very nice! Thanks
Ok. Thanks for asking! Wynne (Wih-NEE), From the Depths of Red Bluff. (this poem is not in my book, however)
Love your poem – it would be perfect to read to two of our retiring teachers! May I have your permission to do so. – Thank you! – Judith
Thank you. I’d be happy for you to share! Please mention my book, too! Wynne
Hi, I think your poem is beautiful and would like to give it to the teacher I work for. I am a para in a second grade classroom.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer. Enjoy! Wynne
wonderful poem would love to copy it for my retiring sister
Thank you. You have my permission. Also, check out my book at http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984048324/
We have 2 Special Education supervisors retireing this year and we would like to use the poem at their party. We will definitely give you credit. THANK OU
Thank you, you have my permission. Please see my facebook page for book signings, etc. Happy Retirement! I have a few more years… just earned my National Board Certification this year!
I would love to use this poem–modify what doesn’t apply from your school to mine–and use it for a retiring colleague. May I? Thank you.
Thanks for the request. If you modify it, please keep my by line and copyright and add “modified with permission by (your name)” in print and when reading it. My name is pronounced wih-NEE (accent on last syllable). Thanks again. Enjoy!
Will do! Thank you so much!
I would love to use this for a teacher that is retiring in our school!
Okay. Please check out my book on Amazon, From the Depths of Red Bluff Thank you!
What a beautiful poem! I am an ELL assistant and would love to give it to a teacher in my department that is retiring this year. May I have your permission to share it?
Yes. Thank you for asking : )
Great Poem Would love to use it for a fellow teacher who is retiring this year! Thank-you in advance!
Ok. May I ask which state are you from? Thanks!
May I use your poem at a 35th retirement from teaching celebration today? I will need to tweak it a bit for our school. NJ
Thanks,
Chris
OK. Please keep my by line and add edited by [your name]. Thanks and congrats!
I would love permission to use your poem. It’s beautiful.
Thank you. Enjoy!
Could I please have a copy of the retirement poem?
Thank you!
Debbie
You may use it. What state do you live in?
I am from Washington State and I would appreciate your permission to use your poem to honor a retiring friend and educator. It is beautifully written and expresses our appreciation for all her years of loving service.
Thank you. Enjoy!
Much appreciated!
I would love to use this for a special education teacher who is retiring in Wisconsin. It is a beautiful poem.
Thank you Stephanie. I hope you’ll like my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WynneHuddlestonPoetry and check out my book on Amazon.
Hello, I would love to use this poem for my first grade team member that is retiring. Would it be okay to use your poem and modify it to suit her. Thanks for writing such a beautiful poem.
I’m sorry I just saw this. If you modify it, please read or print it as “by Wynne Huddleston, modified by [your name] with permission.” Thanks for asking!
Wonderful poem. I would love to use it at our retirement celebration for several of our educators here in Kentucky. May I? Felicia
Thank you. I actually attended 1st grade at Sublimity School in London KY. I don’t know if it still exists. Please mention my book From the Depths of Red Bluff. Enjoy! http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984048324/
Great poem! I would like to use it for a sixth grade teacher who is retiring in New Brighton, MN.
Thank you!
Please check out my book on Amazon, From the Depths of Red Bluff, or for a better deal & an autographed copy, email me at depthsofredbluff@gmail.com
Wynne
With your permission, I would like to quote your poem in our Greater Bridgeport Retired Teachers Association quarterly newsletter, The quote, of course, would also give credit to you.
Thanks, Bob Pitzschler, President, Greater Bridgeport (CT) Retired Teachers Association
Awesome! Thank you!
Just in a planning mode to do something special for a teacher. Was thinking of using it and giving you credit by stating “adapted from…..” Your thoughts.
What state are you in, Linda? If you do more than one print copy please do say “adapted from….” and the website https://wynnehuddleston.wordpress.com
In May I have been asked to give my colleague’s retirement speech. I would love to be able to include your poem in my speech. My colleague and I are both special education teachers.
Ruth
Huntington Woods, Michigan
Thank you! That would be nice!
We would like to use this poem for a retirement party and just change the name of the mascot if that is okay.
Moseley, Virginia
OK I don’t understand the part about changing the mascot. I don’t have a mascot in the poem.
Hello,
I would like to read your poem to eleven retiring teachers this Thursday, May 11, 2017
It is perfect!
Thank You!
Tami
Thank you! Sure!
I am a middle school teacher in Virginia, and I would love to share this with a few retiring colleagues. Would it be okay if I modify a couple things to make it more “middle school” and share aloud at an upcoming retirement party? Your byline would still stand, of course, and I would note that the lesser modifications had come from me. Thanks.
That is fine. Thanks for reading!
Thank you! 🙂
Hello! What beautiful words, and it still applies to middle school as well! May I use your poem and tweak it to meet the needs of my retiree? Thank you for your consideration! So sweet!
Oops, I forgot to mention that I am in Illinois. 🙂 Thanks!
Thank you!
That is fine, just add “edited by (your name) to my byline. Please like my facebook page and /or Amazon page. Thanks!
Hi there, I’d love to use this amazing poem for my son’s retiring kindergarten teacher…..It gave me chills! We are in Virginia 🙂
Hi Cameron in Virginia! Thank you for your kind words. Kindergarten teachers are awesome! I hope she enjoys it : )
May we please use this at our school?
Which state? Thanks
I would love to use this – adapted in places – for 2 teachers who are retiring from our school this summer. Both of them have taught for over 25 years, mainly in my school. Thank you 🙂 – Michelle (Scotland)
Scotland! Wow! That is so cool! Congrats and enjoy! Please include my byline “Wynne Huddleston” and “with adaptations”. Thank you!
Hello,
I would like to get permission to use your poem for a friend/coworker who is retiring from 30 years of teaching, with a couple of tweaks, because she is a high school teacher. I’m from Richmond, VA but it will be read in Newport News, VA.
Thank you! You may, but please credit my name as author and add with edits by [your name]. Enjoy!
Hello,
I would like to get permission to use this poem for my dear kindergarten coworker that is retiring this year after 25 years. I am in Mobile, AL.
Enjoy! Thanks for reading !
I’d love to be able to read your poem to a retiring principal whose love of children and gardens knows no bounds! She will love it!
Oh, she sounds wonderful! Which state are y’all in?
Dear Wynne,
I would love, if you would allow, to be able to use your poem above for two very special teachers that are retiring from specialized services. Would this be okay?
Jenn
School Counselor
Sioux Fall, SD
Hello Jenn in SD Awesome! Thank you for listing your state. I’d love it if you find me on Amazon (From the Depths of Red Bluff) or facebook (Wynne Huddleston Poetry) with a shoutout!
Beautiful! I would like to share this poem with our music teacher who is retiring (Atlanta, GA). Please let me know if this okay with you. Stay safe!
Thank you! I’m close to retirement myself! I hope y’all are able to celebrate the retirement. Stay safe, also!
Dear Wynne,
Your poem is amazingly well written. So true to education. I would love to use your poem above for a talented and special teacher that is retiring. May I please be granted permission to use this poem for her?
Casey
Teacher
MS
Thank you! Sure! I’m retiring this year, too! But I will be teaching at a private school.