Most engineers would like their children to become engineers while doctors would like to see their children study medicine. A businessman wants his child to become a CEO, but most teachers usually prefer their children to be one of the above and not teachers. The sad truth is that teaching is not one of the favoured professions, unfortunately. I say this as I am a teacher and know what a difference a good teacher can make in the life of a child.
Dinner guests sitting around the table were discussing life. The CEO said; “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided that his best option in life is to become a teacher?”
In order to stress his point, he turned to another guest saying; “You’re a teacher. Be honest with us and tell us how much you make.”
The teacher who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied; “So, you want to know how much money I take home every month?” She paused for a second and then continued without giving him a direct reply.
“Well, I make students work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a weak student feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner. I make the children sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit still for 5 minutes without an Ipod, Ipad, Iphone, computer or t.v. in front of them. And you want to know how much I make?” She paused once again, looked at every person sitting around the table, then stated:
• I make children 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. Keboarding isn’t everything.
• I make them read and read and read.
• I work with them until they understand math.
• I teach them to use their brains and not calculators.
• When I teach ESL, English as a second language, I teach them what they need to know about the English language while preserving their unique cultural identities.
• I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
• And finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard and follow their hearts, they will succeed in life.
She paused one last time then said: “When people judge me by how much money I make each month, I hold my head up high and pay no attention because I feel that those people who ask me how much I make, are ignorant.
I make a difference in all your lives, educating children and preparing them to become CEO’s, doctors and engineers. What do you make, Mr. CEO?”
His jaw dropped, and he was silent.
