A girl needs her father to be a parent;
A young woman can be his friend.
This is the greatest gift of growing old
Knowing the best is yet to be.
A parent encouraging his child to be a good person
Knowing the example I set is paramount
Imparting the joy of learning
Sharing with you a passion for social justice.
A quarter of a century with you grown into adulthood
Now you teach me how to give the gift to others
Exciting and inspiring happy elementary students
Receiving your fairness doctrine and creative lessons.
Their delighted surprise that math is beautiful and fun;
What heartfelt stories they learn to write so well;
Such an exploration and understanding in science;
American history as viewed from the indigenous people.
Public education is the way you make the world a better
place
Preparing the next generation to have empathy and
intelligence
Talking to today’s parents in a supportive manner
So competent and
effective you make me so proud.