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Mr. Ivan, The Principal Poet

The Lunch Line Pioneer


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(Sung to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas")

In history class last Friday
I learned of pioneers
Who drove their covered wagons
Way out West for years.

Today the lunch line isn't moving,
And I'm starving as I stand.
And I'm thinking of them pioneers
And how they crossed our land.

I recall the Donner party
Getting plumb stuck in the snow,
So they started eating people
Just to make their hunger slow.

Although I am near starving,
It doesn't make much sense
For me to gnaw my classmates,
And my reason is immense!

See, I need my friends at recess
To play football in the yard.
And if I up and ate them,
Playing catch would be too hard.


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 © 2007 Education World

08/05/2007