WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

My conversation with a colleague yesterday was a little bit disturbing when he was belittling teachers. Certain remarks were made due to his incidents with a teacher who taught his son in school. The teacher were told to be very 'evil' and he was thinking of moving his son to another school. On a few separate occasions, I was faced some dilemmas regarding teachers and schools myself, having putting lil brother and sister through the process of education here. Those who went through education system everywhere in the world had for sure went through some weird incidents and issues whilst struggling to 'learn' about calculus or politics...I told my colleague to carefully assess the situation before making any harsh decision or action. If possible to talk things out with the teacher and tactfully talk to his son. Then, spookily I received an email from a teacher friend;

WHAT 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 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 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.

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.

I forwarded this email to my collegue. He didn't say anything to me this morning...