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Valuing our Teachers

As summer winds down and “back to school” is fresh in our mind, let us consider the true impact of our trainers and teachers, who are too often under-valued and under-appreciated. I found this thoughtful article quoted online.

What Do Teachers Make?

by Mona Kapoor Choudhury

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?”

To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bhaarati. Be honest. What do you make?”

Bhaarati, 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 kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5minutes without an I Pod, Video Game or Cartoon Network.

You want to know what I make? (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table)

I make kids Feel, Express themselves, understand others,…wonder.

I make them question, think, analyze.

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 different countries, cultures, languages learn everything they need to know about 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. (Bhaarati 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.

Teaching is…the profession that makes all other professions possible!

Indeed it is!

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