The speaker describes the classroom of a beloved childhood teacher, Mrs. Tilscher, in the second person. "You" recall a series of memories: Mrs. Tilscher showing the class a map of the Nile river, the milk the students would drink, and the ringing of a schoolbell. School was better than being at home—there were books and eyecatching art supplies. Gory events like the infamous Moors Murders disappeared from your mind, paling beside Mrs. Tilscher's love. The speaker fondly lists more details: Mrs. Tilscher's habit of placing gold stars beside students' names, the smell of pencil shavings, and the sound of music being played. During the Easter holiday, the class pets grew from tadpoles to frogs, and the students played with them outside. A classmate of yours explained sex and reproduction, causing you to look at your parents with horror. In July's muggy weather, the mood shifted to an anxious, strange one. You asked Mrs. Tilscher to explain sex, but she only smiled and looked away. Report cards were distributed and the students exited school into the rain, waiting impatiently to grow up.
In Mrs Tilscher's Class
by Carol Ann Duffy
In Mrs Tilscher's Class Summary
