The Teacher's "IF"

You may know of Rudyard Kipling's famous poem "IF", but there is another one of these specifically for teachers. I actually found it at the bottom of a box of old pictures and papers a couple of years ago. I was visiting the North Carolina State Fairgrounds with some family and we went to the Flea Market that Saturday. I don't remember exactly where the vendor was from, but he had a large number of boxes from estate sales where you could pick items and buy. I found this little gem glued to an old piece of cardboard--apparently it had been published sometime previously, but I don't know how long ago. Most of the stuff in the box looked 50 years old or older, so it could have been a long time ago. If anyone knows anything about the author or copyright on it, please let me know and I will give further credit. Here it is:

The Teacher's "IF"

by R. J. Gale

If you can take your dreams into the classroom,

And always make them part of each day's work---

If you can face the countless petty problems,

Nor turn from them nor ever try to shirk---

If you can live so that the child you work with

Deep in his heart knows you to be a man---

If you can take "I can't" from out his language-

And put in place a vigorous "I can"---

If you can take Love with you to the classroom,

And yet on Firmness never shut the door---

If you can teach a child the love of Nature

So that he helps himself to all her store---

If you can teach him Life is what we make it,

That he himself can be his only bar---

If you can tell him something of the heavens,

Or something of the wonder of a star---

If you, with simple bits of truth and honor

His better self occasionally reach---

And yet not overdo nor have him dub you

As one who is inclined to ever preach---

If you impart to him a bit of liking

For all the wondrous things we find in print--

Yet have him understand that to be happy,

Play, exercise, fresh air he must not stint---

If you can give of all the best that's in you,

And in the giving always happy be---

If you can find the good that's hidden somewhere

Deep in the heart of every child you see---

If you can do these things and all the others

That teachers everywhere do every day---

You're in the work that you were surely meant for;

Take hold of it! Know it's you place and stay!

So, what do you think? I want to know who R. J. Gale is.

TP.