For all those without the pleasure of knowing or being a teacher...and complain about what teachers make...And yes I know this does not apply to all teachers everywhere...but I happen to know several that do. One is my (much) better half... I think the most important thing missing in this day and age is what most of us were lucky to have...parents that supported and carried on their childrens teachers message, after school hours.
I have sit idly by and read some of the posts on here, all the while knowing what a hard job teachers in this day and age have. I hear daily through my g/f and her peers what a teacher goes through each and every day, weekends included to ply their trade. Some of you say they have it easy, and are overpaid. If none of those commenting are actually teachers, they I will cite ignorance...
Do teachers make good money? They certainly would make more if they didn't have the outlay in insuring that the children they are teaching don't go hungry, arent underdressed for the season, have the tools that they need in order to learn. I have been shopping with my g/f, who has denied herself things in order to insure that her students have snacks and school supplies that should, but more often than not aren't, supplied by the school.
I see high paid administrators that rely on the teachers to do their job, or at least make them shine in their superiors eyes.
You say that teachers work less than an 8 hour day, but you have no idea of the paperwork and preparation that is done after school hours.
I cannot speak for all teachers out there, but I can speak for one that lives and breathes her chosen occupation...and with that I will say walk a mile in a teachers shoes..then get back to me...
Please read on...
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?"
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 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 about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
"I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
"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, 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.
on May 16, 2011, 9:16 pm