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 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, 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.’

(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.