Sunday, July 3, 2011

Teacher

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?"

To stress his point he said to another guest;
"You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Teacher 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 winner.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't
make them sit for 5 min. 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 how 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 about 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, 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 IN ALL YOUR LIVES,EDUCATING KIDS AND PREPARING THEM TO BECOME CEO's ,AND DOCTORS AND ENGINEERS..........

11 comments:

Kavi said...

The teacher in you has made quite a few folks sir..!

Ugich Konitari said...

I have actually met a person like that CEO, and he actually asked me such a question. Integrate that across many years of saying this frequently to impressionable youths, and it will explain, why in our country, it is assumed that those who could not cross corporate thresholds, joined teaching, and why teachers are not looked up to.

It might also be asked whether the CEO would have asked this if Bonnie was a male.

Bonnie's answer (the last part) needs to be carved on the portals of all management schools.

Thanks for posting this .

Rakesh Kumar said...

Very good inspiring post,Sir.Bonnie's approach is excellent.
Thanks.

Sylvia K said...

And you are the teacher for so many us -- certainly me. The one who consistently reminds of me of what is important. Like Ugich, I think the last part of Bonnie's answer needs to be carved on the portals of all management schools! Superb post as always! Thank you!

Sylvia

Urmi said...

Very nice, excellent and inspiring post. Infact you are the best and perfect teacher for me from whom I learn many things and your each and every post is superb.
You are welcome at my new post-
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Brian Miller said...

taylor mali (a spoken word artist) wrote most of this in his poem "what teachers make...look it up on youtube...he is very empassioned in the delivery and well worth the watch...

Ankit said...

Nice Post.

A couple of things which teacher missed out - the teacher probably makes enough for good 8 hrs sleep and quality time with his family unlike the CEO's.

Pradnya Raje said...

Very nice post Sir.It highlights the intangible contribution of teachers to the Society.

Giri Vasan Guinness said...

My wife and my in laws would feel proud reading your post - they all are teachers.

Teachers are like ladders. They help us climb and they stay where they are waiting for others to climb.

That is why it is a NOBLE PROFESSION.

Ugich Konitari said...

@TCGirivasan what a lovely way of describing teachers !

Cocktail Party said...

Very apt!!! Often a teacher's job pales in comparison to its lucrative competitors. It does not enjoy that enviable status in society but it is indeed a profession that requires lots of guts, heaps of hardwork and patience...and very few people will appreciate that or take up the challenge...