Tuesday, September 08, 2009

With school starting again, this is an excellant read.

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?"

To stress 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 winner.

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 about 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.

Finally, 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 and then continued.)

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing 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.

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER, EVERY CEO, EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW.

Even all your personal teachers like mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, coaches and your spiritual leaders/teachers— A profound answer!!!

I just HOPE and PRAY there are still a lot of these kind of teachers out there.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

And different is always recognized.
Cheers !!!

Arkansas Patti said...

Wonderful post Patty. Very well said. I have some dear teacher friends that I will send it to.
They do "make a difference." Some of my greatest role models were teachers. Thanks.

Merle said...

Dear Patty ~~ Wonderful post and a great one for teachers of all sorts. What a difference she made to so many lives as so many teachers do.
Glad you enjoyed my post and I hope Labor Day was good for you. Pity silly little things upset people at
family gatherings that then upset others. Is your eye all healed and your sight much improved. Take care,
my friend. Love, Merle.

mommanator said...

never was a teacher, but good for her! hoping all teachers have that attitude

Kavita Saharia said...

Wonderful...on 5th sep every year our country observes Teacher's Day ..this one would have been a perfect tribute.

Margaret Cloud said...

What a wonderful post, the teacher was right, some teach for the joy of touching the lives of the student. If they can make a difference to just one it is worth it. Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

Nobody said nice things like that to me.

Marian Dean said...

This is a wonderful post Patty... and every word is so true. My daughter is a maths teacher in a boys grammar school, I shall surely send this to her.

Love Granny

Sister--Helen said...

God Bless out teachers

Unknown said...

I like this...and to think tomorrow I will be starting back to school once again. I wonder if this is what I will have to go through being now that I will be a middle age student. lol

Thank you for your comment at my blog.

Urmi said...

Very beautifully written. A lovely tribute to all the teachers for 5th Sep as it is celebrated as Teachers Day. I liked your post very much.

Renie Burghardt said...

Here! Here! for teachers. I know I had a wonderful teacher, a nun, who told me I was a writer before I even thought about it, ih high school. She made a difference in my life, that's for certain.

Have a good night, Patty.

Renie

Twisted Fencepost said...

Best option?????
I thank God for our teachers! They have it hard nowadays, just trying to encourage and teach our children.