Monday, November 16, 2009

What teachers make


(this picture unrelated seems relevant)


With Best wishes and blessings
from Geoff and Letty Schroder:

God bless you all good teachers!!!

This is dedicated to all the teachers out there.

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 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. (change this Malaysia!)

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.

This classic discussion should be remembered by teachers whenever they feel let down by our materialistic society.

For average couples, some invest their money in properties, some rather indulge themselves in luxury cars while others invest in children's education, and the debate shall continue with each claiming to be wiser and no clear winner. It all depends on what you want in life, isn't it?

Even the choice of a career reflects our priorities in life. At a recent former classmate's wedding dinner, Cheng remarked that 7 out of 10 former classmates are either accountants or auditors and none really bothered to know what she is doing now, except a doctor's husband who is also doing a Ph D who asked her some relevant questions! I am sure a few years later, each would be comparing 'how much you make?' or 'what house you live in?' or 'what car you drive?' and the winner would obviously be the one who makes the most money, lives in the biggest house and drives the most expensive car!
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