WHAT TEACHER'S MAKE

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE
[ If you are a teacher,coach or lecturer in education, you WILL stand up and Applaud Bonnie.
A truly inspiring, sock it to him, story delivered in a way only honest Bonnie can . ]

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 Honour.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an iPod, 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.
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.. What do you make Mr CEO?'
His jaw dropped, he went silent.

[ Let's all Salute to the Bonnies everywhere in the schools they are in!
I think it will be great if this story is read out aloud to one and all at Teachers' Day lunch,
dinner or celebrations. It will inspire all teachers and educators.

If I had been present with Bonnie...I would have reminded Mr CEO that he was once taught by
teachers such as Bonnie but along the way, as he climbed the corporate ladder, his life was
overtaken by the greed of money, a skewed view and a lack of innate wisdom.

Dick Yip ]