Teachers make a difference

[Ariadne]

Just got this in my email. I have seen it before somewhere, so it may have been posted before on the old board.

I especially like the part about the pledge of allegiance.

WHAT 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." 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 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 criticize. 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. I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. 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 to say the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the
United States of America. 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, 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?"

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by Ariadne

I make kids wonder. I make
them question. I make them criticize. I make them
apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and
take responsibility for their actions.

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. "

"And I do all this because you guys are too lazy to do your job and actually parent. So I put in several hours of labour at practically slave labour wages trying to teach your little darling because it's my job, only to have you all leap down my throat when I suspend or give your little darling a bad grade because nothing they do is ever their fault. It's always the big bad teacher out to get them. Well, maybe if you actually spent some time with your kid, instead of parking them in front of the TV/X-box, they wouldn't be the rehab flunkie they are today," Bonnie said.


I know I'm going to get flamed back to the stone age for this but this is what I wished more teachers would say to parents. Besides, someone has to cut through all the treacle and nothing helps like brutal cynicism.

[mcolakis]

This is a glurge I actually like! Yet I wonder how many teachers successfully do all these things every day, for every kid. And, Mouse, I've often wanted to say those things too!

[Auntie Witch]

Originally Posted by mcolakis

This is a glurge I actually like! Yet I wonder how many teachers successfully do all these things every day, for every kid. And, Mouse, I've often wanted to say those things too!

I know I damn sure try. But then again, I've only got a handful of students compared to other teachers.

Originally Posted by Ariadne

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

A heck of a lot more than you do.

[Halfmad]

Jeez, she also makes really, really long speeches at the dinner table.

Makes you wonder does she talk to her pupils like that?

[Buckle Up]

And she makes other people feel really stupid, ashamed, and embarrassed when they were just making conversation.

[mcolakis]

Originally Posted by Buckleupp

And she makes other people feel really stupid, ashamed, and embarrassed when they were just making conversation.

Well, in fairness to her, the CEO was trying to make her feel stupid, ashamed, and embarrassed first. Implying that teachers are losers when you know there's a teacher present isn't making conversation; it's rudeness.

Originally Posted by lazerus the duck

Makes you wonder does she talk to her pupils like that?

If they insult her like that CEO did, she should.

[Halfmad]

Oh, I totally agree the CEO guy was rude in this instance and I am 100% on the teacher's side, I just couldn't resist poking fun -- I mean, it is Glurge after all. (Unless this really happened just like this in which case, wow--I want that woman to start writing presidential speeches.)

[Buckle Up]

Originally Posted by mcolakis

Well, in fairness to her, the CEO was trying to make her feel stupid, ashamed, and embarrassed first. Implying that teachers are losers when you know there's a teacher present isn't making conversation; it's rudeness.

Good point, mcolakis.

[Dropbear]

Alternate title:
Self important, bullying, impolite CEO who makes huge invalid assumpitons based on own prejudices is ranted at by self imporant, bullying, impolite teacher who makes huge assumptions based on own prejudices (and has a martyr complex big enough to nail her to)

Wordy I know, but accurate.

Dropbear

[Bryan With a 'Y']

Originally Posted by Ariadne

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

Originally Posted by Doug4.7

A heck of a lot more than you do.

Well, sure, before he's indicted.

A teacher tried to tell him about ethics, once, but what do they know?

[Dropbear]

Another thing -(this one's got up my nose) - in my experience the sort of teacher who did make a difference would never have engaged in this OP's grandious posturing. they were, thoughtful, considered and respectful. The sort of teachers that did moan on about how hard their job was or about how badly we were parented made no difference to me at all.

Dropbear

NB ..and then there's the implication that the students would all be hopeless basket cases but for her skills - yeah right

[musicgeek]

Originally Posted by Dropbear

Another thing -(this one's got up my nose) - in my experience the sort of teacher who did make a difference would never have engaged in this OP's grandious posturing. they were, thoughtful, considered and respectful. The sort of teachers that did moan on about how hard their job was or about how badly we were parented made no difference to me at all.

Of course, as a teacher I'm obligated to point out that the word is "grandiose."

While I'm not a huge fan of any glurge, I don't think that a teacher who would strongly refute a blowhard like this CEO at an adult social event would necessarily strike a similar tone in the classroom, or, for that matter, with the parents of her students. I don't see it as moaning on her part, but rather as a defense of the legitimacy of her profession.

I'm a high school music teacher. When, after a concert, school musical or other performance I'm approached by parents or other faculty members who tell me I did a great job on the program my response is always: "The kids worked really hard and deserved all the applause. I'm proud of them." I happen to think I do a pretty damn good job in my profession, but the bottom line is that I'm doing my job to the best of my abilities - isn't that what's expected?

If, however, some ignorant individual starts spouting anti-teacher rhetoric in public, I will (and have been known to) ardently defend my profession - in town meetings, letters to the editor, or similar public forums. I generally try to avoid the glurgey tone of the OP, but I don't doubt that a dedicated, wonderful classroom teacher would shift tone and come on strong when openly confronted about the value of his or her profession.

[Dropbear]

Originally Posted by musicgeek

Of course, as a teacher I'm obligated to point out that the word is "grandiose."

Damn. Got me -

What I most objected to was the endless statements of "I make..." as if she does these things alone by sheer force of will against the natural inclinations of her charges. I think there is a world of difference between her

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..

which is self-important and disrespectful of her students and their parents
and your

I happen to think I do a pretty damn good job in my profession

which is reasonable pride in your skills and achievements.

I've been a teacher too (of adults admittedly but the difference is not that great at times). I could wander around with a martyr complex and talk about how I alone held back the forces of the dark (I note the teacher doesn't have any colleagues around - probably teaches in a small one room school and has to chop woood for the fire too.) But I don't think it wuould be helpful and in fact would be hindrance to furthering understanding.

Essentially I don't believe you should fight ignorance with glurge - as glurge is esentially ignorant.

Dropbear

I make my students stand to say the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the
United States of America.

I thought the Supreme Court ruled that students can't be forced to stand and pledge.

[Auntie Witch]

Originally Posted by claudia

I thought the Supreme Court ruled that students can't be forced to stand and pledge.

I don't know about that, but saying the Pledge daily is one of Missouri's GLEs at all elementary levels. (Grade Level Expectations: curriculum standards by the state; all curriculums in the state must meet these minimal standards)

Auntie "Modified curriculum all last year" Witch

[Auntie Witch]

Originally Posted by Dropbear

Another thing -(this one's got up my nose) - in my experience the sort of teacher who did make a difference would never have engaged in this OP's grandious posturing. they were, thoughtful, considered and respectful. The sort of teachers that did moan on about how hard their job was or about how badly we were parented made no difference to me at all.

Dropbear

NB ..and then there's the implication that the students would all be hopeless basket cases but for her skills - yeah right

You're right, we don't. We forward crap like this to each other instead.