WHAT 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 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 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 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 math.
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 say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag 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, 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?"

I have always wanted to be a teacher even at the ripe old age of seven. When I began college, my goal was to have my degree at 20 and begin instructing. Life had other plans for me and it would be 20 years later before I would get that degree and teach. I needed the seasoning that life would give me to embark upon my life's journey.


"Teacher goes berserk in classroom; video at 10pm."


The above would have described me had I become a teacher in my twenties. Lately I feel as though I have lost touch and have been questioning my decision to teach. I honestly do not feel I am making a difference like Bonnie in the story above. Granted I know that teaching is 'a leap of faith' ~ in accounting , (my former life) you can see the results by looking at the bottom line.

My vision of education: I want students have that quest for knowledge that I do. If money were no object, I would be in the classroom as a student. That is what motivates me~ I want to know everything! However I don't think my vision is getting across to my passengers. Are there other factors that are making this goal unachievable or is it time for me to move on??