JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback Lyric Feedback Forum 3 Just A Teacher--Sosnowski/Hopkins

I was talking with Jan awhile back and made a comment that I couldn't think of too many songs about teachers. So this is our tribute to teachers. maybe not real commercial but at any rate something that we felt needed writing

Just a Teacher © Roger Sosnowski/Janice Hopkins
 
Verse 1

By fifth grade I was a troubled kid with a dad I’d never known
Mom was married to her job,never cared where I would go
So when I went back to school that Fall, nothin’ much mattered to me
But my life started changing, there in classroom 103
 
Lift 1:
 
At first I wouldn’t listen, just hid behind a curtain of fate
Miss Taft knew I was hurtin’, said Jodi, it’s not too late
 
Chorus:
 
Life has confused you
I’ve worn those shoes too
When all of the bad times show
 
Your feelings run deeper
Than a fast, raging river
Now you ask me how I know…..
 
Yeah, I guess you’re right….I’m Just a Teacher
 
Verse 2:
 
Over time she made me start to see, I could be so much more
When life came crashing down she was always my support
I made it through those troubled years, things started falling into place
I’d always planned to call her, couldn’t find words to say
 
Lift 2:
 
Every time I’d listened, when she told me that it’s never too late
Though she knew I was hurtin’, said, Jodi, this is not your fate
 
Chorus:

Life has confused you
I’ve worn those shoes too
When all of the bad times show
 
Your feelings run deeper
Than a fast, raging river
Now you ask me how I know…..
 
Yeah, I guess you’re right….I’m Just a Teacher
 
Bridge:
 
While passing through Macon, I stopped by
She looked up from her desk…..like back in ‘85
Handed her a photo of my new class and me….said, “Go ahead and keep‘er”
Written at the bottom….”Love, Jodi….Just a Teacher”
 
Chorus Repeat:
 
Life has confused you
I’ve worn those shoes too
When all of the bad times show
 
Your feelings run deeper
Than a fast, raging river
Now you ask me how I know…..
 
Yeah, I guess you’re right….I’m Just a Teacher
 
Outro:

She changed my life when I believed her
She was always so much more than….Just a Teacher.
 
 

Hey, Dynamic Duo...this'n's a WINNER in My Book.

Tho the "Just a Teacher" kinda seems Inadequate, yeah, those self-effacing phrases DO sorta define how a Good Teacher WOULD describe 'emselves.

Really Fine Tribute Song ya gots here..."KUDOS" & "CONGRATS"!

Good Luck with it/KNOW it's gonna make some Teacher's Day!

Best Wishes & Big Hugs,
Stan

Roger and Jan,

I think this is a great idea.

I do love the ending by the way!

Geneva

Howdy Satn,

Ahh you have found the unspoken part of this song. The "Just a teacher" was the response to an unspoken question the student asked her. This was actually something I did many moons ago--pre-teens. LOl. I forget he whole scenario but I had a teacher one time that was bestowing some worldly advice to me and being the upstart kid at the time said something like what makes you such a know it all--you're just a teacher. So that little tidbit I dragged out from the recesses of my past---long long ago. LOl. We might have to make that a bit clearer--not sure yet. Thanks for weighing in on this one. Take care,
Roger

Hi Geneva,

Thanks for giving this one a look. I'm glad you liked it. Take care,
Roger

Thanks Stan and Geneva....This one hasn't gotten much response, but we so appreciate that the two of you took a look at it.

We thank you both for that...so much.

Jan

Was this a story of one of your own teachers, or totally made up? It reminded me in some ways of the movie "Dangerous Minds" which came out several years back about a teacher who takes on severely troubled students in a dangerous neightborhood. Was wondering if eithor of you ever saw that one.

Peace,
Brian

ROGER AND JAN--

I had to read this one twice--I WAS IN THAT SCHOOL TOO--A geometry teacher took me under her wing, and brought me up to speed, believing I could do better.
With out these "JUST A TEACHER", many of us would still be adrift--Thanks to YOUSE for penning this one 'BOUT ME.

Write on--

Mackie

Hi Roger and Janice,

What a sweet song. I think it’s a nice story and written well as always. If you wanted it to be commercial I think it could be. What I try to do when I write in this style (with long lines) is work in some internal lines. I think that could make this flow ever better (not that it doesn’t flow now). It’s just an idea; you know I always enjoy your lyrics/songs!!

Take care,

Dottie

Hi Brain,

Never saw that movie and this story i kind of based on a teaher I know--my daughter. Actaully one day Jan and I were talking about how teachers have a really tough job, and have to form our future leaders, but rarely get recognized for it. Then I said--when's the last time you heard a song about teachers--to which Jan said--it's long over due. so that's how it got started. Thanks for taking a look and I'm glad you liked it. Take care,
Roger

My wife is a teacher. Under paid, over worked but mostly overlooked. The is nice. Thanks for posting it.

Roger and Jan,

This is very well done and the subject is more than deserving of being written about, as would be songs about fire fighters, rescue workers and police officers. All are underpaid and under appreciated.

My wife, her sister, my sister, and my niece are all teachers, and I know the challenges they face everyday. If they did it for the pay, they would have quit long ago, or more likely never would have gone into the profession. They do it because they care. Sadly, though, none of them encourage their children to follow in their footsteps. What does that say?

Anyway, this is good writing as usual. Nice job.

Greg

Hi Mackie....We're so glad that you could relate to this song. Actually, this one was written about alot of us. Maybe each of us had a teacher that saw something more in us, than we saw in ourselves....and then they proceeded to nurture it. I was one of those students, early on. Her name was Mrs. Eggleston and she was tough, but soft around the edges. She let a shy little girl know that she had potential and that I was okay....just as I was. I will never forget her. I think that is what a truly gifted teacher is all about. This song is dedicated to all of those people that do not get their "just due". Only one can be selected as "teacher of the year", but there are many others that leave an indelible mark on at least one student and make a real difference in how they perceive themselves for the rest of their lives. I thank them for that....and I thank you for weighing in and sharing an experience that songs are made of.

Jan

It's nice to see a tribute to a teacher, the latest target of government abuse. I can thank an english teacher in ninth grade for encouraging me to write, and move souls.....he had a lot to do with influencing my greatest joy today, the crafting of words. Great song Roger...but then you always manage that...
~~~MFB III

Hi MFB 111...We are so glad that you stopped by to give this a read for us.

We are pleased that you could relate to this one. It seems that all of us have at least that one special teacher that encouraged us to be all that we could be. And..what if they hadn't of done that? We may be doing something far less fulfilling with our lives, other than touching someone's heart and soul with our emotions put into words.

We are so glad that WE touched you....Thanks so much.

Janice

Hey Janice and Roger, Really nice work.

I've been wanting to write something about teachers for a while, I guess since Wisconsin, and now Florida and so many other Governors seems to think they are useless scapegoats. I do not like the image teachers have to live with in the media's public eye. But, I find all the time that isn't really the case. I see, nearly everyday, America's true sentiment toward teachers and it's just not what Politicians are trying to make it into. People still admire teachers, and the profession.

You're lyric is a great example of truth. So thank you for unknowingly supporting my point of view. I think I may still continue to develope ideas for a lyric of my own as it was a bit different in direction, but still intended as a sentimental tribute to the professionals who gave birth to me and have loved me my entire life.

When you set this to music I'll be interested in seeing how this meaning comes thru;

"Now you ask me how I know…..

Yeah, I guess you’re right….I’m Just a Teacher"

To me, "You ask how could I know" seems to work better, but again this is my trip in reading lyrics without knowing the authors melody, but using the melody in my own head while reading.

So kudos on a well written, current subject lyric.

Tom

P.S. This lyric has been edited because a teacher once told me to proof read everything before handing it in.

Brett....so sorry that my responses seem to have gotten out of sync here. But...thank you so much for giving this one a read over for us. It is meant as a dedication to all those teachers who care about, support and encourage our children in so many ways....every day....but get very little praise for it, at times. This is for your wife and others like her. We thank you... and we thank them....using the means that we hope WE do best.

Jan and Roger

Thanks so much, Greg....and yes, I do know that Patty is one of those that do not get enough credit for what she does. I hope you will have her read this one....because this is for her and others like her. We appreciate what they do....

Thanks for giving it a look-see for us, Greg....that means alot to us.

Jan

Hi MAckie,

Thanks for looking this one over. I'm really glad it hit home for you. Actually there's probably a lot of us out there saying-yeah if it wasn't for so and so--not really sure where I'd be right now. Thanks and take care,
roger

Hi Dottie,

Thanks for giving this one a look ever--it means a lot. Also thanks for the idea on the internal lines. jan and I will give it some thought when we come back to this one. Thanks and take care,
Roger

Hi Brett,

Hey Ii'm glad we helped out your wife by this little tribute to it. My daughter is a special ed teacher for cognitively impaired children. She's a natural for it--quite frankly I don't know how she does it. Quite frankly I don't know how teachers do it at all. The stuff they put up with--if you know a teacher personally then you know exactly what I mean. And now all the state cutbacks--reducing the people who are shaping our future? That's just nuts in my mind. But that's a different conversation. I'm glad you liked the song and please tell your wife--America needs people like her. Take care,
Roger

Hello Greg,

Thanks for giving this one a look over. I'm glad you could relate. My daughter is a special ed teacher and you couldn't pay her enough to make it compensate for the things she puts up with. But she does it because she loves it and it's a good thing there are people in the world like my daughter, your wife and all the other teachers in the world. They are the ones who mold our future generations. Take care,
Roger

Hi MFB,

thanks for looking this one over. I'm glad it hit home. considering teachers mold our future by teaching our children--they sure get the short end of the stick. I'm glad they do it cause they love it--if it was for the money--there would be very few teachers. Have a great 4th. Take care,
Roger

Roger & Jan, Whether by accident or design you've ventured into the land of the politically incorrect and socially subversive with your salute to teachers! In most parts of this land, particularly in the Red states, teachers are public enemy number one these days, considered over-paid bums and union thugs by the party in power, which uses all sorts of propaganda to demean and demonize them. You're both from Michigan where some of the worst attacks on teachers, unions and education are occuring. I say good for you both. This is a subtle and fine rejoinder to the lies being broadcast to the public. I'd like to hear it on one the local country stations

Hi Tom,

Thanks for looking this one over. I'm glad you liked it. You make some very good points about different points of view for teachers. I can say from experience that once you have a teacher in the "family" you really get to see all they go through--all the situations that never make the "news". Every profession has they're rough areas for sure--it just seems teachers are always overlooked for the "good things" they do. as far as your doing a song on the subject--I would say go for it--that's what started us on this song--the fact that there just aren't many songs about teachers. take care,
Roger

Hi Roger and Janice,

This is a very fine tribute to teachers!

I looked at this several times and something was nagging at me but I couldn't put my finger on it. And then it came to me! One thing I'd suggest is to include something about the academic/learning aspect of how this teacher helped Jodi and how this translated into the psychological realm. (Like....maybe the teacher saw that Jodi lacked motivation, so she introduced Jodi to some important historical figure who dealt with the same issue and succeeded, and this helped to motivate Jodi.)

Like I said, this is very nice! Good luck with it!

Lisa

Hello Dan my Michigan neighbor,

You know what's funny--when Jan and I were talking one day it hit me that I didn't remember hearing very many teacher songs. When I mentioned it to Jan--she said--now there's a topic that's way overdue. So we really didn't think anything of the political ramifications at the time. Lol. But you make a very good point--for some reason "teachers" are the point of a lot of bashing and budget cuts. None of which I agree with. I always say--if you think someone has a simple job--go and do it for a week and see if you even could. lOl. Thanks for giving this one a look over--I'm glad you liked it. Take care and enjoy this summer,
Roger

Hi Lisa,

I was just looking over older songs and realized I missed your feedback. Sorry about that--I surely wasn't skipping your input on purpose. Thanks for looking this one over and your suggestion. Jan and I will probably get back to this one for some touch ups and we will consider your idea for sure. Thanks again and take care,
Roger