the mousy teacher is full of love
with every smile to the children
she throws a challenge; be
the best speller, best artist
best writer, best athlete or simply
the neatest in the class; and it is picked up
with a spirit to please her for
they know it all adds up to a lot of good

her smile drives them to do
the best for themselves
not everybody turns out to be mister
number one but everybody is all too glad
to prove themselves for the mousy teacher
who always throws them a challenge with a smile
a warm smile that sets their heart
ablaze to be her very best
for even when they fail, mousy would smile
and pat them on the back with her comforting
lifting words 'at least you have tried'..

john tiong chunghoo

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-smile-to-remember-3/