A friend sent this to me and I want to send it to all the teachers out there -- thank you for what you 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 their best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
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. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 minutes 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 criticize. 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.
I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math.
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 to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, 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, I can hold my head up high.
You want to know what I make? I make a difference. What do you make?"
There Is much truth in this statement: "Teachers make every other profession."
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 their best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
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. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 minutes 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 criticize. 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.
I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math.
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 to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, 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, I can hold my head up high.
You want to know what I make? I make a difference. What do you make?"
There Is much truth in this statement: "Teachers make every other profession."
1 comment:
Today when people have so many choices in careers, thankfully some still choose to be teachers. I am so grateful to the wonderful teachers my son has had in public school. His teachers spend many, many hours after school and on weekends sponsoring the students to music competitions, debate tournaments, UIL academic meets, and group trips. His teachers have nurtured, encouraged and supported him in ways I could not. But for a teacher working after hours with fifth graders, he would never have learned to play the double bass. I don't have the skills to teach him to write to the level of being published - thankfully his English teacher does. I am grateful to the people who choose to teach my son. They have made him a better person.
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