@offgridlife,

The poems contain their names, so I want to get their permission before posting. I don't think it'll be a problem. When my daughter and I go back to visit (usually once a year), ALL of the framed poems are hung prominently on the wall behind their respective desks. There was a lot of girl-boohooing when we presented them with the poems ... you'd think we'd given them a Mercedes Benz.

Once a week for 6 years (elementary school K thru 5), I'd go in and tutor the kids who were struggling in math. To this day, 5-10 years later, I still get assaulted in the grocery store or in a restaurant. Often I barely recognize the kids (they've grown up) but they recognize me.

I'm ex-military: When they got questions wrong, I'd make them do push-ups. When they got them right, I'd do the push-ups. I told them I'd either make them very smart or very strong. Their choice. Their grades sky-rocketed. The poor teachers, they were always pretty worried about getting disciplined for allowing my "teaching techniques."

In the end, though, even the Principal was in on it and I got away with murder ... although one teacher did make me stand in the corner on occasion. Class Science Fair projects (Yahoo) ... one year my daughter's teacher had the kids get under their desks while she peered out from behind a bookshelf. Sometimes ... science requires courage. No one died ... we just had to open the door and few windows.

Alas, Middle School killed all the fun. No more parents in the classroom.

I'm surprised more parents, or retired people, don't get involved. I cannot recall a time in my life when I had more fun.

I'm glad to hear your wife expresses appreciation for your teachers. They don't hear it very often, and they should.