Friday, July 22, 2011

Why I teach...

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 honest 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.  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 criticize.
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.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
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 student feel safe.
I make my students stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, 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, 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?”
Taylor Mali

8 comments:

  1. Love this! I think it explains why we continue to do this job (with joy) when so many others just couldn't...

    A friend of mine has a t-shirt that says, "Those who can, teach--Those who can't, make laws about teaching."

    Ha!
    Here's to the teachers!
    Mandy
    firstgradetothecore

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  2. I have always loved this! I also like the story about the new Survivor and dropping people off in a classroom instead of some island! Too funny!

    I would love for you to come visit my blog! I have TONS of *freebies* and teach ESL kiddos too!

    Heather
    Heather'sHeart

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