15 Significant Poems about Teachers

(Poems 1-15)

The relationship between teachers and students is one of the most meaningful in a person’s life. Teachers nourish us intellectually, giving us the information and tools we need to live a fulfilling life. In turn, students can offer teachers fulfillment as we allow teachers to make the world a better place by listening to them.

If you have ever had a teacher that impacted your life, these poems about learning and teaching will strike a chord in your heart.

From lyrics of educational celebration of the teacher-student relationship to elegies of grief on the loss of a dear teacher, these poems don’t sell the educator’s role in life short.

Poems about Teachers Visual Representation

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American

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Dreams

Identity

Journey, New Life, Relationships

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Sadness

Compassion, Empathy, Hope, Optimism

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Teachers

100

Education, Imagination, Immigration, Poverty, School

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Free Verse

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Lyric

"> 100/100

Teaching English from an Old Composition Book

by Gary Soto

Gary Soto’s ‘Teaching English from an Old Composition Book’ is about a teacher instructing some Mexican-American immigrant students in a night school. Soto portrays their harsh living conditions and their struggle to cope in a new culture.

‘Teaching English from an Old Composition Book’ is a reflection of the daily life of immigrants as they attempt to learn to be citizens of a new country. This poem depicts their back-breaking work, their need to spend time on learning, and their lack of energy.

My chalk is no longer than a chip of fingernail,

Chip by which I must explain this Monday

Night the verbs “to get;” “to wear,” “to cut.”

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Nationality: Scottish

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"> 99/100

The Good Teachers

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘The Good Teachers’ by Carol Ann Duffy describes the school life of a young girl who has strong opinions about which teachers are good and which are not.

In 'The Good Teachers,' the speaker questions what makes a teacher good or bad. While the speaker develops close relationships with some of her educators, others are far too proper or unengaging to like. The speaker naturally feels more compelled to be a good student for her "good" teachers.

You run round the back to be in it again

No bigger than your thumbs, those virtuous women

size you up from the front row. Soon now,

Miss Ross will take you for double History.

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"> 98/100

The Tables Turned

by William Wordsworth

Wordsworth’s ‘The Tables Turned’ asks readers to quit books and rediscover the natural world’s beauty and wisdom.

The poem discusses the concept of teachers in terms of who is the best, books or nature. The poem quickly argues for nature, mentioning the vital components mother nature offers in her lessons that only she can provide. Teachers are the entire point of this poem, as not only does the speaker want you to convert to nature as your teacher, but the speaker hopes to teach you something from reading the poem in general.

Up! up! my Friend, and quit your books;

Or surely you'll grow double:

Up! up! my Friend, and clear your looks;

Why all this toil and trouble?

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Genre: Lyric

"> 97/100

Afternoon in School: The Last Lesson

by D.H. Lawrence

‘Afternoon in School: The Last Lesson’ by D.H. Lawrence is told from the perspective of a teacher exhausted with his thoughtless class of students.

The poem expresses a teacher’s frustration with the 60 students he’s supposed to be in charge of. Despite his best efforts, he has come to the conclusion that there’s nothing he can do to teach students who don’t want to learn from him.

When will the bell ring, and end this weariness?

How long have they tugged the leash, and strained apart

My pack of unruly hounds: I cannot start

Them again on a quarry of knowledge they hate to hunt,

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Fathers and Daughters

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"> 96/100

The Machinist, Teaching His Daughter to Play the Piano

by B.H. Fairchild

‘The Machinist, Teaching His Daughter to Play the Piano’ by B.H. Fairchild is a free verse poem about how the creative process can connect a father and daughter.

‘The Machinist, Teaching His Daughter to Play the Piano’ is a free verse poem about a lathe operator who connects with his daughter by teaching her to play the piano. This poem places parents as the ultimate teachers and displays the ways that teachers and parents can nonverbally instruct their kids and students.

The brown wrist and hand with its raw knuckles and blue nails

packed with dirt and oil, pause in mid-air,

the fingers arched delicately,

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Nationality: Scottish

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"> 95/100

Head of English

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘Head of English’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a witty and satirical take on the conservative and orthodox teaching of poetry.

'Head of English' by Carol Ann Duffy explores a teacher's jealousy of a professional poet and her inability to stop rambling as she gives a speech. This poem allows students to see inside the head of a teacher as she fights her urge to be a bad educator - which only makes her a boring, rattling speaker.

Today we have a poet in the class.

A real live poet with a published book.

Notice the inkstained fingers, girls. Perhaps

we're going to witness verse hot from the press.

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"> 94/100

The History Teacher

by Billy Collins

In ‘The History Teacher,’ the titular educator neglects to teach his students about the cold, hard realities of the past in order to protect their innocence from reality.

‘The History Teacher’ by Billy Collins is a clever, humorous, and thoughtful poem that emphasizes a teacher's critical role in keeping history from being revised and erased. The bad teacher in the poem doesn't present the true facts about history, which confuses his students and effectively kills the truth.

Trying to protect his students' innocence

he told them the Ice Age was really just

the Chilly Age, a period of a million years

when everyone had to wear sweaters.

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Nationality: Scottish

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"> 92/100

Death of a Teacher

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘Death of a Teacher’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a moving poem. In it, the poet discusses a personal loss she suffered and how it affected her.

In 'Death of a Teacher' by Carol Ann Duffy, the speaker fondly remembers the things that her late teacher taught her. As she reminisces, it becomes clear that the teacher has passed on the torch of teaching to the speaker, allowing the educator to live on.

The big trees outside are into their poker game again,

shuffling and dealing, turning, folding, their leaves

drifting down to the lawn, floating away, ace high,

on a breeze. You died yesterday.

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Amusement, Anxiety, Disgust, Sadness

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"> 91/100

The Lesson

by Roger McGough

‘The Lesson’ by Roger McGough is an interesting and unique satirical poem that depicts the violent result of a teacher’s built-up rage.

In 'The Lesson' by Roger McGough, an educator teaches his students an important lesson about controlling one's temper and respect. This satirical poem expresses the teacher's pent-up rage as he bursts into violence.

Chaos ruled OK in the classroom

as bravely the teacher walked in

the nooligans ignored him

his voice was lost in the din

#10

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"> 90/100

Decima

by George Santayana

‘Decima’ by George Santayana is a beautiful poem that contemplates the lessons to be gleaned from nature.

Santayana's poem treats nature as a wise but elusive teacher. One from which humanity can learn a great deal, benefiting not only the individual but the world as a whole. Ultimately, the speaker perceives in the daisies two important characteristics they wish to embody: a willing resignation and patience. These are qualities that many people find difficult to master.

Silent daisies out of reach,

Maidens of the starry grass,

Gazing on me as I pass

#11

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"> 82/100

The Best of School

by D.H. Lawrence

D. H. Lawrence’s ‘The Best of School’ describes a teacher’s growing wonder as he watches his students make discoveries in the course of their studies.

This poem is from the perspective of a teacher watching his students while they work. He rejoices in their breakthroughs and reflects upon his contributions to their growth.

The blinds are drawn because of the sun,

And the boys and the room in a colourless gloom

Of underwater float: bright ripples run

Across the walls as the blinds are blown

#12

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"> 70/100

In Mrs Tilscher’s Class By Carol Ann Duffy

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’ paints a vivid picture of a young child’s transition from innocence to experience in primary school under the tutelage of the much-loved Mrs. Tilscher.

Mrs Tilscher plays a central role in the poem. Her presence shapes the mood, and her kindness helps the speaker feel calm and understood. She represents more than just a figure at the front of the room, she becomes part of the child's early emotional world. The poem gently shows how one teacher’s care and attention can stay with a person long after they leave the classroom, making this topic especially important and memorable throughout the poem.

You could travel up the Blue Nile

with your finger, tracing the route

while Mrs Tilscher chanted the scenery.

Tana. Ethiopia. Khartoum. Aswân.

#13

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"> 65/100

Last Lesson of the Afternoon

by D.H. Lawrence

‘Last Lesson of the Afternoon’ portrays a disillusioned teacher’s weariness with unengaged students and the futility of teaching.

The poem looks into the topic of teachers by portraying the speaker's weariness, frustration, and disillusionment. The poem highlights the challenges faced by teachers, depicting the speaker's struggle to engage and motivate the students. It captures the emotional toll and disillusionment experienced by the speaker within the educational system, offering a critical perspective on the role and experiences of teachers.

When will the bell ring, and end this weariness?

How long have they tugged the leash, and strained apart,

My pack of unruly hounds! I cannot start

Them again on a quarry of knowledge they hate to hunt,

#14

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"> 50/100

an afternoon nap

by Arthur Yap

‘an afternoon nap’ by Arthur Yap explores the lacunae in the modern education system and how it results in anxiety and stress in students.

The fourth stanza of Yap's 'an afternoon nap' contains a reference to teachers who burden a boy with home tasks.

the ambitious mother across the road

is at it again. proclaming her goodness

she beats the boy. shouting out his wrongs, with raps

she begins with his mediocre report-book grades.

#15

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"> 50/100

Please Mrs. Butler

by Allan Ahlberg

‘Please Mrs. Butler’ by Allan Ahlberg is a children’s poem that conveys a frustrating and purposeless conversation between a student and their teacher.

One of the main characters in this poem is a teacher.

Please Mrs Butler

This boy Derek Drew

Keeps copying my work, Miss.

What shall I do?

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15 Significant Poems about Teachers

(Poems 1-15)

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15 Significant Poems about Teachers

(Poems 1-15)

by Gary Soto

by Carol Ann Duffy

by William Wordsworth

by D.H. Lawrence

by B.H. Fairchild

by Carol Ann Duffy

by Billy Collins

by Carol Ann Duffy

by Roger McGough

by George Santayana

by D.H. Lawrence

by Carol Ann Duffy

by D.H. Lawrence

by Arthur Yap

by Allan Ahlberg

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