What do teachers make?

[Krafty]

You may have seen this before, but thought I'd share something from my inbox...

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 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 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, 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?"

"Teachers make every other profession "

[javamomma]

:) Thank you.

[sweetsass]

Aw, that's beautiful. And hopefully it shut the @#$% up, too.

[SLP]

I have a friend who supervisors people who count pills at a pharmaceutical company. She "makes" a lot of money and lives in a big house. One day, she said to me, "You chose the right profession because you make a positive and personal difference in people's lives." I replied "You do too." She responded, "Yes, but not in a selfless way like you do."

[landreth2007]

I have always loved that. It is such a great comeback.

[Carolyn B]

Hey there! I, too love this. However, bear in mind it has been sanitized from its original version, which is the property of Taylor Mali, poet and former teacher, from New York. The original is much more gruff around the edges and even contains some inappropriate content not suitable for a classroom.

Funny story: I attended a Catholic University and had a Sister as an advisor and classroom professor. I opened my email to find Taylor's poem, warts and all, in my email box. She had sent it along to all of her students. Imagine how shocked I was to find THIS sent by a nun! It actually changed the dynamics of our relationship, as I learned that nuns can be totally cool and hip.

Anyway, Taylor Mali wrote it, and has a website out there you can visit to see what else he's done. He left his NY teaching job to become a full time traveling poet doing poetry slams. This one always brings a good laugh.

A few months ago, I sent him an email about his 1,000 teachers project. I told him I was "On board" with the idea of promoting the benefits of teaching. I actually received an email response from him directly!

Anyway, just thought all of you would like to know this funny story.

NOTE: Not sure I can post this or not -- it is Taylor Mali's website where you can look at the original version of his poem, "What Teachers Make"...

http://www.taylormali.com/index.cfm?webid=13

[Krafty]

Yep, we definitely got the watered-down version.

I have a friend who is an Episcopal priest, wife and mother of two. She has me given greater insight into those that choose religion as a profession. They have deep faith, but lots of them also have a biting sense of humor.

[teachabc]

Love it...Thanks for sharing~

[Carolyn B]

Love it...Thanks for sharing~


Hey folks! I just wanted to let you know I heard from Taylor Mali again. He's the original author of the "What Teachers Make" poem. He sent me an email saying he's working on his blog and wanted some information from me.

It kind of came out of the blue, but it's good to know he didn't forget about me. I'll have to go check out his blog.

[landreth2007]

Love the original version. I sometimes get tired of being nice. Teaching is not easy. Especially when we also have to teach the parents.

[bcasbcjs]

Here here!

[Specialkim]

Loved it!! Thanks!!:D

[arteacher]

Even teaching is not easy, it always make me happy to see that our student develop their knowledge! Prost!

[joseph.stevens7]

What a great post! I couldn't have said it better myself.

[honeybuns]

Teachers are the Best! Thanks sharing :) It's nice to know I'm not alone even when I overwhelm with paperwork.

Honeybuns,:)

[Jennilyn]

Definetly an understatement. Teaching children is the easy part compared to the parents.

[KristenV]

love it! I'm going to share that with some friends of mine that are about to begin their first year of teaching as well.

[Snookums]

Thanks for reminding me what teaching is all about.

[liteacher]

Yeah! That is the greatest response! I think that answer will give a lot of us teachers the inspiration to forge ahead even when we're having a rough day! This helps to remember why we became teachers in the first place.

li-teacher
http://li-teacher.blogspot.com/

[MrsR]

I love it! It is so true!!

[teach1027]

If they only knew. Until you lay it out like that people don't realize. My husband has told me that he has a new respect for teachers since I have become one.