I'm so tired today. My brain feels like mush and I can't think straight. I've had more work than I really need and I think I'm feeling my age right now. But then I received an email from a friend, and it picked me right up. This is for all you teachers out there who don't receive enough kudos from students, parents, friends, and families.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, Barbara. Be honest. What do you make?"
Barbara, 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 minutes ithout an IPod, 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 kid 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 respect the Canadian flag and the men and women who serve under that flag, proud to be Canadians.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were gien, work hard and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."
Barbara paused one last time and then continued.
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing that 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.
7 comments:
Fabulous, Leslie! I'm going to send a link to my husband, who taught school for 29 years (grades 5 and 6) and then retired because the politics got him down. He enjoys the job he has now but I think in his heart he is still a teacher.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Well, Leslie, this is brilliant.
From a fellow teacher, here in Ireland, where we're under fire as the waster try to balance their budget.
Right on Leslie! I needed that little boost. I too am feeling tired, worn out and worn down. I am tired of the politics, the testing, the lack of help for needy kids, the parents, the lack of help.
But then I remember what you mentioned - the differnece I can make in a child's life.
Thanks.
That's wonderful!!! I have several teacher friends and I want them to see this!
Right on. I was a teacher and both my parents were teachers. I made enough money to live a comfortable life, but as you pointed out so well, there was much more to my profession than monetary income. Some of my kids still stand out vividly in my mind even after 35 years. And hopefully I did make a difference in all of their lives. - Margy
I would love to be able to come up with a good line like that at the right moment!
Let's hear it for teachers who deserve loads of praise!
Very aptly put...both my son and daughter in law are are teachers and grossly underpaid in my view...ciao
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