What Teachers Make

I love my students. I think they are so fun, especially when they are willing to talk in class and participate. Granted, tomorrow we have to go over the Prologue for Romeo and Juliet again because, after grading their assignment today, I discovered many of them think the feud between the Montagues and Capulets started because of Romeo and Juliet. Such is the life of a teacher I guess – re-teaching until we’re sure our students actually understand. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if they do get it, because when I ask if anybody has any other questions, they just kind of sit there and stare at me. Every once in awhile I get a nod of “yes,” but other than that I just have to take silence as confirmation that they do understand it. It’s been fun so far though. My feet are slowly getting used to standing for 4 hours straight, and it’s nice when I feel myself become more confident with my lesson as the day goes on (I teach the same thing four classes in a row, I feel kind of sorry for second period). I’m beginning to look forward to these next six weeks, I think they’ll be fun.

My dad sent this to me. I love it.

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, Linda. Be honest. What do you make?"

Linda, who has 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....
Ø I make kids wonder.
Ø I make them question.
Ø I make them criticize.
Ø I make them apologize and mean it.
Ø I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
Ø I teach them to write and then I make them write.
Ø I make them read, read, read.
Ø I make them show all their work in math related consumer science.
Ø I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
Ø I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
Ø I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America.
Ø 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.

(Linda paused one last time, then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high.You want to know what I make? "I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"