---
What do Teachers Make?
A young teacher had been invited to the house of one of
his students for dinner. The father was a high-powered CEO and a quite a
wealthy man. Perhaps too much wine was served with dinner or perhaps it
was just the father's personality, but as the desert was being served,
he asked the teacher, "what's a kid going to learn from someone who
decided that the best he could do in life was be a teacher? After all,
those who can, DO. Those who can't, teach."
The young teacher paused as he was about to put a forkful
of apple pie into his mouth. Without looking at his host, he set his
fork down.
"I mean, let's tell the truth," said the CEO, "last year,
my production companies grossed over two million dollars. What do you
make?"
"What do I make?" asked the young teacher, "I make
kids feel good about themselves. I make the C-student know that he can
be an A+ student with a little help and effort. I make kids and their
parents see the best in themselves. I make kids know what it is to work
hard to improve yourself. I make kids see an adult worthy of respect. I
make kids see that they can make a difference in the world. I make kids
do and re-do and re-do again because getting it right isn't easy and
it's important. I make kids wonder about the world. I make them
apologize when they should apologize. I make them respect other people. I
make them think about how people should be judged."
The teacher paused and continued. "I make them so
excited about learning that years later they'll come back and visit me
just to tell me how they've done. I make them realize that those who
can't teach are forced to find less rewarding forms of work." Putting a piece of pie on his fork and looking his host in his eye, he continued: "I make a difference in the lives of students...what do YOU make?"
No comments:
Post a Comment