Teachers are, very often, quite influential in our growth. Too many people forget that. Just for some evidence – ask yourself what your first grade teacher’s name was. I’m confident that 99% of us will remember.
In the news of late, as we all know, the names of lots of CEOs have scrolled by. There are certainly many good and responsible CEOs, but there are many that are bad. And while the media of late has joined in the national “ha rumpf” about CEO bonuses and salaries, that same media has also built them up as role models.
Here’s another idea… and some inspiration… after the fold.
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 emphasize 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 five minutes without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental.” She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table, and continued, “You want to know what I make?”
“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.”
“I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.”
Pausing one last time, Bonnie 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, and he was silent.
A teacher is the shaper and molder of your child’s mind and the biggest influence in his life besides you!
They don’t receive their full value for what they give your child yet their reward is more valuable than the money because it gives them a foundation to live life and achieve great things which is priceless! Thank you teachers!
Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy, so they no the value of things, not the price.
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