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.
Author Unknown