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 the 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 6.0 feel like the Congressional Medal of Honour. 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 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 maths. 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 to sing the Mexican National Anthem, because we live in Mexico. 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?”
Thursday 23 July 2009
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3 comments:
Indeed, we make difference! I've been in such situation, you know? Once I was chatting with a friend of mine who is an architect and he said "well Daph, you have nothing to complain about, you're a teacher, life is easy for you" and I respectfully answered "dear, the only thing I know is that without a teacher, you wouldn't be in such position" He looked at me angrily and said good-bye. I think people believe we do nothing... but we really do many things!
Yup...the only thing that non-teachers see is our 'long' holidays and bags full of gifts on teacher's day....they don't see the magic that we work every single day of our lives !
I think people do not see the impact we cause in their lives until they realize that without a teacher, life would have been more dificult. vik
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