The Latin Teacher Song

Written by Andrea Stehle

Dedicated to: India Newton: former Latin teacher at Uvalde High School Doris Kays - former state chair of the Texas Junior Classical League

Recorded with a grant from CAMWS 

It was a hot night in August at a national convention When I met a Latin teacher as we chaperoned a dance. Oh, and we took turns staring what those crazy kids called dancing 'Til the stars filled up the Texas sky, and she said these words to me:

"Oh, I have made a life out of teaching Latin grammar, Tales of Julius Caesar, and the seven kinds of Rome, And if you don't mind my saying, oh, I've been down that road you're facing. If you want to be a Latin teacher, let me give you some advice. You see it's not what you say, it's the way that you say it. Let 'em see that you love the Latin, and your kids will love it too. Through good times and bad times, oh, and all those endless bus rides, You gotta keep a sense of humor in everything you do. Because we're seeking the best, oh the highest our goal, Working for greatness through glories of old, And searchin' the realms of the golden past We'll follow the classics truth until the last."

And when she'd finished speaking, ah we turned back toward the children. I've never seen her face again. I don't even know her name. Ah, but twenty years later, oh, I'd really like to thank her. If you want to be a Latin teacher, my advice is just the same. You see, it's not what you say, it's the way that you say it. Let 'em see that you love the Latin, and your kids will love it too. And through good times and bad times, oh, and all those endless bus rides, You gotta keep a sense of humor in everything you do. Because we're seeking the best, oh the highest our goal, Working for greatness through glories of old, And searchin' the realms of the golden past We'll follow the classics truth until the last. Yes, I'll follow the classics truth until the last."