The following has been passed around from teacher to teacher for quite some time. However, it got me to thinking, why should only the teachers read this? I think everyone needs to know what teachers make, don’t you? Thanks to Lady Rose of Diet Pulpit for sending it to me and reminding me how much I love this particular story. So here it is for everybody:
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 winner. I make kids sit through 50 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. Typing isn’t everything. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. They use their brain, not a 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. Do you want to know what I make? I make a difference. What do you make Mr. CEO?”
He went silent.
(I have no idea who originally wrote this. If anyone does, feel free to let me know. But I make no claims on it whatsoever. I just felt it needed to be shared with more than just teachers.)
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By indocontest on Aug 20, 2008 |
Nice story Saphrym. Never heard this before.
Thanks for sharing it.
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By Lady Rose on Aug 21, 2008 |
It definitely applies to many many people not just teachers. I’m so glad you liked it!
Thanks for the shout out.
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By Saphrym on Aug 21, 2008 |
@indocontest: It’s been around for a few years. I’ve been given a copy of it in almost every education class I’ve taken. It’s really good though.
@Lady Rose: You’re quite welcome! And thank you for sending it to me. Because although I’ve received it often, it was always on paper. It’s nice having an electronic version I didn’t have to type myself.
By ettarose on Aug 22, 2008 |
Excellant! I really liked that. I feel that next to being a parent A teacher has the hardest job ever.
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By Monique on Aug 22, 2008 |
I think it is so sad that teachers make so little in this country. So many of them really do mold us into the amazing people we become.
By Brian Fitzpatrick on Aug 22, 2008 |
Saphrym, I have to say this isn’t the first time I’ve seen this particular chunk of text, but it’s still true no matter how often I see it. I’m the only non-teacher in my immediate family - my father taught high school for years and now is doing teacher prep at a local Colorado college, my mother was a teacher and substitute teacher for years and years, and my sister (brave girl) has been teaching 1st grade for the last few years. No good teacher can every be appreciated too much in my book. So thanks for raising this once again to the public eye.
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By kimmysharinglight on Aug 22, 2008 |
Well, this was my first time reading it. And I have tears. My high school senior, my daughter, wants to be a High School Lit teacher. And she is taking Honors Writing this year. How proud am I? I cannot say. She has surpassed every expectation her dad and I ever had. Honors Spanish, Lit, History, even track and choir honors! But most of all, she loves to tutor, and coach others. I will work three jobs if I have to. This girl will have her dream. Thank you for posting! Kimmy
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By Saphrym on Aug 23, 2008 |
@ettarose: Teacher can definitely be a tough job. I respect and admire them. And hopefully will receive the same respect when I become one.
@Monique: Agreed.
@Brian Fitzpatrick: I felt that it needed to be seen publicly and not just by teachers. The message is truly for everyone else. Although it does make some teachers feel better about their jobs when they start wondering “why?”, ya know?
@kimmysharinglight: It can definitely make you cry.
By Chelle on Aug 24, 2008 |
I’ll have to share this with some teachers I know. We need more teachers like that one in the example!
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By Saphrym on Aug 24, 2008 |
@Chelle: Feel free to share with anyone.
By Janna on Aug 27, 2008 |
Initially, when I went to college (many many years ago), I thought I wanted to be a music teacher. I have always loved music, and I was led to believe that teaching was the only way I could ever make a living from it.
The education classes were easy enough. I found the psychology classes especially fascinating.
But, when it actually came time to do a semester of tutoring and student teaching in an actual schoolroom, I discovered something.
I hated it.
I was miserable.
I hated having to keep everyone under control. I hated having all those eyes on me. I hated having to be the “bad guy” and say “stop doing that”. I felt overwhelmed and bombarded. I hated having to constantly re-focus everyone’s attention.
It rapidly became apparent that this was NOT the profession I should enter.
So I changed my major, and have never regretted it.
It was such a relief when I reassured myself that I would never have to be in front of another classroom again.
The experience gave me a newfound respect for teachers who ARE able to do the job effectively. Teachers who ARE able to effectively maintain control and discipline, day after day after day after week after month, and somehow still have a passion for their chosen career. It amazes me and I think they deserve a lot more respect than they get.
And money. They should be paid a LOT more.
As for me, I humbly admit defeat.
I don’t mind teaching one-on-one (like giving music lessons on various instruments), but I know for a fact that I am NOT cut out to be a classroom teacher.
Cheers to those of you who are.
You have my admiration.
By Saphrym on Aug 28, 2008 |
@Janna: Wow. Thanks for that! Great comment!