What I Make

I stole this from a friend...

What do 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." (aside: hate this expression...)

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 5 without an I Pod, 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 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, 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."

(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. What do you make Mr.. CEO?"

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

Amen!

Wisdom from Michael Scott

Hi all!

I'm back with some words of wisdom from an unlikely source, Michael Scott, The Office's bumbling boss (currently President of The Michael Scott Paper Company, formerly of Dunder-Mifflin Scranton).

"Sometimes it's not about whether Cinderella gets her slipper back but it's about the fact that the prince even picked up the slipper at all." Michael Scott, The Office

Michael (Steve Carrell) said this a while back and I always meant to write about it, but never found the time. I think it is a pretty sweet quote. So often we concentrate on the final product, the long-term results of our actions, but sometimes it is just about taking that first step. Being willing to put yourself out there, take a chace, take a risk and not worry about what may come. I know this has been pertinent in my life a lot lately, being worried about the outcome before I even start. I need to be more willing to just start, to try and see what happens and be proud of myself for taking that step, not worrying about how it ended.

I challenge you to do the same. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, take a chance and remember that sometimes picking up the shoe is the most important thing! :)

Good Luck on finals!!!

P.S. When I went to copy this quote from my favorite quotes on Facebook, I was totally embarrassed to see that there were two typos in it :( The English major is shamed, but now they are fixed :)