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, 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 Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without and iPod, game cube or redbox.

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 criticize.

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.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.

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.

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, 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?"



I enjoy the message in this story. I've been noticing some parents who want to blame a lot of problems on me because I'm the "teacher". I am "pushing" too hard. I "expect" too much. The students don't feel like they can come give me "excuses" as to why their work is not finished.

Where is the push from the parent? Are expectations at home not as high as they are at school? Do excuses get everyone in life out of everything that is a responsibility?

If I hurt a child's feelings by my tactics, I would feel sorry. I would apologize. If a parent came in to talk to ME first, I would conference to come up with a solution. If the child came to me asking for help, I would find a way to help.

If there is one thing that I've learned from this year so far it's that you have the freedom to make choices, you do not have the freedom to escape the consequences.

I also heard a funny saying that a teacher posts on her door during parent teacher conference week: "If you promise to not believe half of what your child says happens in class, I promise not to believe half of what your child says happens at home."


Can anyone tell that I have parent teacher conferences this week? Can anyone tell that I'm getting a little burnt out? Thanksgiving couldn't come faster!

Wish me luck this week. Wish my students good luck this week. Wish my parents good luck this week.