Grif.Net

03/29/08 Weekend Grif.Net – What Does a Teacher Make

03/29/08 Weekend Grif.Net – What Does a Teacher 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, and 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 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
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 right 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.

[Thanks for the reminder, DJ, as many of us are teachers, whether in a
formal classroom or not]

~~
Dr Bob Griffin, www.grif.net
“Jesus knows me, this I love”