I read this this morning, and it shows the impact a teacher can have on the life of a child.
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 what they say about teachers: "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+ by a former D student 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 five 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 and then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with my 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.
-- Submitted by Marjory Lacy
5 comments:
Love that post. It's so important for people to realise that money is not the only form of finance. The teacher demonstrated that just fine. I know that a certain teacher I had at school actually made my life worthwhile when I was going through total misery at home and I still think of her and the impact she had on my life.
A great tribute to all our hard-working, much taken for granted teachers!!
On behalf of teachers everywhere--- thank you! I love her answer. Did you read my last post on teaching? And see Leon's latest pose? =)
Amen - I Agree. As society, we make too much of the financial side. There are many more blessings in life that so many persons miss. You never see a truckload of money follow the casket to the graveyard. You do however, see people whom this person touched throughout his life.
Thank you all, for your comments. There is always a teacher in our background that made a difference in our lives.
Come back again!
I congratulate, the remarkable answer...
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