What Do Teachers Make...

I always get the common statement—“It must be nice to be off all summer and holidays.” Let me tell you, I didn’t get into teaching to be off. I believe good lifelong learning teachers are constantly working. During the summer I did enjoy Florida and tractor pulls, but I presented at a conference, went to a conference, planned, researched, planned, organized, and planned some more. There is always something to be done in the room as I let my creativity control my classroom. Also during the school day, my day does not begin and end with the bell as some may think. I believe sometimes I could live there. I don’t mind putting in “extra” hours or coming in on the weekends—I live for teaching (along with fairs, tractor pulls, Christmas, and Subway)! My mind is always thinking about teaching. I enjoy exploring ways to enhance my room and discovering innovative strategies to implement in the classroom. The main reason I got into teaching was I WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Taylor Mali and an unknown author sums up what teachers make…..

These are a couple of pictures from student teaching. During this time, I fell in love with teaching primary students. When I was in college, I never wanted to teach anything lower than third grade and ONE teaching experience changed my preference on the grade level. It still amazes me how 18 first graders helped me figure out my niche---thank you kiddos! They are now going to be fourth graders. I do enjoy teaching in the same school I student taught. It is so neat to watch them grow!

"Children make you want to start life over."  ~Muhammad Ali

"Teaching should be full of ideas instead of stuffed with facts."  ~Author Unknown

This is a story by an unknown author referencing Taylor Mali:

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 iPod, 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?"

The CEO had no response.

You can watch the video at this link: What Do Teachers Make