Agreeing with

what Doud said in his book "Molder of Dreams," this poem best

expresses my attitude toward teachers.

You are the molders of their dreams.

The gods

who build or crush their young beliefs of right or wrong.

You are

the spark that sets aflame the poet's hand,

Or lights

the flame of some great singer's song.

You are

the gods of the young the very young.

You are

the guardian of a million dreams.

Your every

smile or frown can heal or pierce a heart.

Yours are

a hundred lives a thousand lives.

Yours is

the pride of loving them, the sorrow, too.

Your patient

work, your touch, makes you the gods of hope

Who fill

their souls with dreams, and make those dreams come true.

I urge all

citizens to say a special prayer of thanks for all the dedicated teachers

in their lives.