Recently Rosaria at sixtyfivewhatnow and Reya at The Gold Puppy have written about good teachers being special people. The quote: Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." has been put out time and again.I have many friends in business, in law, in the medical profession and not one has ever hinted that teacher's are not important. Teaching can be a thankless job if one needs to be told what a good job she is doing. However, a good teacher is rewarded every time a student comments intelligently on a subject, asks a question about how something works or why a certain thing is done. The inquisitiveness of students is reward in and of itself. When students inquire we know we are doing our jobs. We are causing them to think and question. Oh yes!
Yesterday a teacher friend of mine mailed the following story to me. Of course it most likely isn't a true story, but it does get the point across as to why some of us chose & choose to be educators. Teaching requires talent and perseverance. It is not for the faint-of-heart.
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One of the guests decided to explain the problem with education.
The guest argued, “What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”
The guest reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'
To emphasize the point this question was asked to another guest; “You're a teacher. Be honest. What do you make?”
The teacher, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make?”
(The teacher 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?”
(Again a pause and a look 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, 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.”
(The teacher 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.
Then the teacher asked the other guest, "What do you make?”
No words came from the arrogant guest; the jaw dropped; dead silence.
10 comments:
From one ex teacher to another ...Yes...
even tho the story does have that manufactured ring to it, it does encapsulate the art of good teaching.
Thanks Lizzy
Exactly! Could be said for housewives too, I think.XX♥
Yes, it does Natalie. As a matter of fact this was at the end of the email suggesting it be sent to teachers, ex-teachers, and... All your "PERSONAL TEACHERS" such as mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, doctors, dentists, caregivers of all kinds, and your spiritual leaders/teachers - pastor's/priests/clergy. I also want to add lawyers in the mix because many of them are great teachers also. My ex is a lawyer & he loves to teach & is pretty good at it.
There are a wide range of teachers/mentors out there in the world. Most good businesses have mentors who work with new employees to help them adjust & learn. Teaching is not just left to us professional teacher-types.
By the by, you need to teach me how to make the little heart... I like it.
Lizzy :-)
Delwyn, this really does have a "manufactured" feel to it. The redeeming factor is that this type email showed something positive rather than tearing down someone or something.
Hope you have a great day!
Lizzy
Thanks for your comments.
Lizzy
Great story Cheryl, & a terribly important point. I'll bet you were a fantastic teacher in the classroom-- your blog still teaches some great lessons.
BRILIANT!!!!
Loved this post Cheryl.
As someone who had an appalling education, but has become passionate about it as an adult, and has a lot to do with education in the town I live in, I think teachers when they are good are to be prized above most professionals
xx
Thank you!
Sorry I don't comment more. The music widget on your site slows down my old old computer!
Cheryl this was great.
I love teachers and here in Canada I think they are very highly thought of.
Love Renee xoxo
At the risk of sounding like a pompous old snob I will have to say that teaching is the most important job in the world. And I am not just referring to professional teachers, but also to those, like our parents who taught us how to walk, how to read, how to write. Many thanks for this beautiful post and I hope I have not ruffled too many feathers. And yes, you guessed it right, I majored in teaching :-).
Greetings from London.
Thank you all for commenting. I felt guilty because the post does make it sound as though professional teachers are the only teachers. I did not mean to diminish teachers in any aspect of our lives. We are all teachers and we all teach some good & some not so good things. The good things we usually try to teach, but inadvertently we teach the wrong thing from time to time. But here's to the good things we manage to teach.
Lizzy
Dear Lizzy
we all know that your intentions are pure and good...
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