What Teachers Make

He Says the problem with teachers is, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?” He reminds the other dinner guests that it’s true what they say about teachers:“Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach”.

I decide to bite my tongue instead of his and resist the temptation to remind the other dinner guests that it’s also true what they say about lawyers. Because we’re eating, after all, and this is polite company.

“I mean, you’re a teacher, Taylor,” he says. “Be honest, What do you make?” And i wish he hadn’t done that (asked me to be honest) because, you see, I have a policy about honesty and butt-kicking: if you ask for it, I have to let you have it.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I can make a C+ feel like  a congressional medal of honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face. How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best?

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence

No, you may not work in groups

No, you may not ask a question

Why won’t i let you get a drink of water? Because you’re not thirsty you’re bored that’s why.

I make parents tremble in fear when i call home:

I hope i haven’t called at a bad time. I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today.

Billy said: “Leave the kid alone, I still cry sometimes, don’t you?”

And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen.

I make parents see their children who they are and what they can be.

You want to know what i make?

I make kids wonder

I make them question

I make them criticise

I make them apologise and mean it

I make them write, write, write

And then I make them read

I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful,definitely beautiful

over and over and over again until they will never misspell either one of those words again.

I make them show all their work in math

And hide it on their final drafts in English

I make them understand that if you got this (brain) then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you give them this (finger).

Let me break it down for you, so you know what i say is true:

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

 

This Story or Poem was written by Taylor Mali he is a vocal advocate of teachers and the nobility of teaching. You can visit his website: http://www.taylormali.com

Thank you Taylor Mali for giving us teachers the strenght to move on and perform our duties as teachers despite the adversities, the misconception about teachers just being someone to look after the kids while parents are at work. Thank you for giving value to our profession as teachers.

-SirVincent-

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