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I came home on my first day at school, aged 5 years, and I announced to my parents that I wanted to be a teacher, and I never changed my mind.  Now, aged 80, I know I made the right choice and I have spent my life being involved with the young where I am at my happiest.

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Well into my retirement I was drawn back to the classroom and visited the above children, and many others, as a volunteer visitor.  It was in this classroom that children asked me to write a poem for them.  What a big surprise!!  It was something I hadn't planned for because I'd only ever written one poem in my life:  'My Garden' (yes, and it has been published).

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Now I am often asked to make short skype visits to classrooms worldwide

where I love to meet the children who tell me how much they love the poems I've written.  Perhaps your children would like me to visit them too.  Before the visit, I skype with the teacher to learn what he/she would like me to do with the class, but usually they like to ask me questions and they love to tell me about their favourite poem and to perform it.  In return, I answer their questions and do a poem for them.

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I am at my happiest when I learn that the children have been taught how to RECITE their poem (not just read it), and how to put expression into their voices and how to throw their voices clearly without shouting.  I get emails from the most unexpected corners of the earth from delighted children or their teachers with film of their wonderful performances - and for many of these children, English, for certain, is a second language and quite different from their own native language.  How wonderful!!!!  It makes me feel that it was all worthwhile.                                                                                                                                       Josie 

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