For years I reaped the joy 

of observing young minds unfold

in my 3rd grade classroom

From all manner of backgrounds

we came together for a year

of exploration

Now I tend a garden of flowers

It is much like my students

who began to grow and blossom

I carefully tend to their needs

so they will thrive,

hoping each will be independent

yet prosper in groups

There are many ups and downs

Some flowers, like students, do not flourish

even with individual care

My goal is to give each a chance

to “show their stuff”

together and separately 

the tall and the short…

the round and the slim…

the bright and the subdued…

Students and flowers

give pleasure to those

who observe and nurture them

-Ann Hollister

Former Edgartown School third grade teacher