Borrowing (with credit given) WHAT DO TEACHERS MAKE

Glancing through some blogs this morning, I came across one that started with one post that meant a lot to me....having come from a line of teachers, and knowing what teaching meant to them, especially Aunt Mar and Aunt Edna....I have borrowed in order to share.....
the original blog address is as follows:   http://princesspearlz.blogspot.com/
    This morning I am toasting (with my coffee) all the teachers and others who really make a difference.

What Teachers Make (my Singapore Version)
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 & 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 A+. I make kids sit through 30 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?"

She paused again & looked at each and every person at the table.

"I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize & mean it. I make them have respect & take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write & then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my students 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 to sing and say the Singapore National Anthem and Pledge to the Flag, because we live in Singapore. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, & follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."

Bonnie paused one last time & then continued.

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high & pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?"

"I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?" "