Mother, Teacher, Chef...

Life as I see it, and advice through the eyes and heart of all three "me's".

Sunday, January 15, 2012

What do teachers make?


What do teachers make? 
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.  One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life
was to become a teacher?'

He reminded the other dinner guests of the saying:  'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'
  

To emphasize his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?'

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,  'You want to know what I make?’ (She paused for a second, then began...)
  

 'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

‘I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  

‘I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit
for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

‘You want to know what I make?' (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
  

'I make kids wonder.

‘I make them question.

‘I make them apologize and mean it.

‘I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

‘I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.

‘I make them read, read, read.

‘I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.


‘I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
  

‘I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

‘I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.

‘I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow
 their hearts, they can succeed in life.' (Bonnie paused one last time, then continued…)

'Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, because I know money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... 


‘You want to know what I make?

'I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make, Mr. CEO?'

His jaw dropped, he went silent. 

1 comment:

  1. If every teacher was like Bonnie, our future would be much more secured. It is the children in today's classroom that will be taking care of us in our old age!! Think; what kind of person do you want as a doctor, nurse, scientist or law official taking care of you?
    But teachers can't do it all alone, education starts at HOME. Parents please give teachers the respect they deserve and help they need.
    Be wise, you will be the one benefiting from our children's good education!!!
    AMR

    ReplyDelete