Thursday, October 4, 2007

What teachers make...

The following story was sent to me by a colleague. Your thoughts?

A.) Hey, I respect teachers, but this story is amazingly cheesy.
B.) I'd rather hear Bonnie talk about what the teachers unions "make" parents, students, and taxpayers do.
C.) What's wrong with being a CEO? They make a lot of stuff-- and a big difference-- too!
D.) Both Bonnie and the CEO seem to underestimate how well the average teacher is compensated.
E.) All of the above.

I'll go with E.

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 she 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. 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. 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 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 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 and remained silent.

1 Comments:

At October 5, 2007 at 10:25 AM , Blogger Chris said...

This is one of those emails that I immediately delete.
Why do I need to feel guilty about how much teachers make? It's a free country (for now) - go work someplace else if you want to make more money.
Additionally, the teachers are thinking a little too highly of themselves. Is it their job to ensure that kids learn or is that the parents job? Hmmm...
Do we want to promote the State as mother hen, or perhaps Fathers DO know best?
For all those kids with absent Fathers (or Mothers) - let's encourage those Fathers and Mothers to stop being selfish and take care of their kids!!!
(Of course, if you would like to continue being selfish, here's a thought - don't have kids!)

 

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