This was sent to me by my high school principal, Mr. Sankey via my high school chum, Tanya.  I probably did not appreciate my dear principal when I walked the halls of Edward Milne Senior Secondary School in Sooke, B.C., in the ’70’s, but there have been many, many times since then I have praised the efforts of those teachers who tried to teach this awkward, head-strong student the lessons needed to succeed in life.  One of the most influencial teachers there at the time, Mr. Scrase, made me want to become a teacher like him.  He inspired his students to greatness and challenged his students to become the best they could be.  Thank you, Mr. Sankey (and Mr. Scrase), and all the other dedicated teachers in our lifetimes, for being those most important, influential role models in our classrooms!

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” Proverbs 4:13

What Do You Make, Teacher?

Dinner guests were sitting around a table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education to his guests.  He argued,

“What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”

The CEO reasoned, “Face it…a Doctor wants his child to become a doctor…

An Engineer wants his child to become an engineer…

A Businessman wants his ward to become CEO…”

He turned to one of his guests, who had sat quietly listening, “You’re a teacher, Bonnie.  Be honest.  Nobody wants to become a teacher BY CHOICE, right?  What do you make?”

Teacher Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,

“You want to know what I make?”  She paused for a second, and then began…

“Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor winner.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 minutes without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental.

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 question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them how 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.  I make them use their God-given brain, not just the man-made calculator.

I make all my students learn everything they need to know about English so they can carry on meaningful conversations…like this one.  I also make students from other countries learn the fine nuances of the English language 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, 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 in all of your lives, educating your kids and preparing them to become CEO’s, Doctors and Engineers…..

What do YOU make, Mr. CEO?”

His jaw dropped; he was silent.