What Teachers Make
Submitted by Bill Templer, Malaysia
This is dedicated to all the teachers out there.
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 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 without 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 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.
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.
Anonymous
The Improving English through Humour course can be viewed here
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