> What do teachers 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 emphasize 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 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 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, 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.
>
> 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, 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.
> ~~~~~~~~~~
>
>