Home

Mr. Ivan, The Principal Poet

"Don't Call on Me" List


Share

Mama and Daddy don't like it
Getting phone calls at dinnertime.
They tell telephone marketers
Not to even waste their dime!

I saw on the news just this morning
That there's a "Don't Call Me" list.
That got my brain to thinking
Of a super kid-friendly twist.

My teachers all call on us students
To answer questions that they've got
But when we don't know the answers,
Our chance of good grades is shot.

I suggest us kids start a program,
We'd call it "Don't Call On Me."
If teachers can't ask us questions
Our good grades are guaranteed!

Copyright © 2006 Ivan Kershner, reprinted with permission.


Meet Ivan Kershner

Ivan Kershner, known to students and colleagues alike as Mr. Ivan, has been writing poetry for more than 40 years. During that time he has also been an English teacher in Wyoming, a high school principal in Nebraska and Colorado, an assistant superintendent in Nebraska, and a middle school assistant principal in charge of curriculum and instruction in South Carolina. In 1995, Mr. Ivan received a National Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation. He also received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Education from Colorado's governor, Roy Romer. Schools or teachers wishing to contact Mr. Ivan may reach him at kershneri@anderson1.k12.sc.us.

Article by Ivan Kershner
Education World®
Copyright © 2006 Education World

08/18/2006