Why I teach (well, at least one part of the story)

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, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?"

Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,

"You want to know what I make?
* "I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
* I make a C+ feel like the winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
* I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence."

"You want to know what I make?"
* "I make kids wonder.
* I make them question.
* I make them criticize.
* I make them apologize and mean it.
* I make them write.
* I make them read, read, read.
* I make them show all their work in math and perfect their final drafts in
English.
* I make them understand that if you have the brains, and follow your heart, and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you must pay no
attention - because they just didn't learn."

Susan paused and then continued. "You want to know what I make?
"I MAKE A DIFFERENCE."
"What do you make?"

THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THESE STATEMENTS:
"Teachers make every other profession possible!"
~AND in the statement~
"Good teachers are costly; but, bad teachers cost more"

Think back to the teachers who made a difference. Take the time to track them down and thank them for what they did. Let them know what you are doing now. I can tell you (as both the giver and receiver of such notes) they are priceless and are precious. You might just make a teachers day;-)