I received this from Starfish and would like to thank Mark for sending it in and Bob for allowing me to use it on this page. If you enjoy reading, click on Starfish for interesting and inspirational stories. I always aspired to be a teacher because of the wonderful role models I had during my school years. For reasons of change in the system and what this little missive says on my part is the reason I didn't pursue that career. However,,,,I feel I've made up for it in my support of our Del Mar College West Campus's Vocational Education Programs for the last thirty seven years. I can't begin to afford the respect that should be afforded our teachers and this says it TOOOOOOO well and certainly puts me in my place. Enjoy. Mark Crider What Teachers Make or You can always go to law school if things don't work out! © Taylor Mali We were all sitting around the dinner table discussing life and the man across from me decided to show his brilliance. He says the problem with teachers is, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers: Those who can, do; those who can't, teach. I decide to bite my tongue instead of his and resist the temptation to remind the dinner guests that it's also true what they say about lawyers. Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite company. I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor," he says. "Be honest. What do you make?" And I wish he hadn't done that (asked me to be honest) because, you see, I have a policy about honesty: and ass-kicking if you ask for it, I have to let you have it. "You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor, and an A- feel like a slap in the face. How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best? I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. No you may not work in groups. No, you may not as a question. Why won't I let you get a drink of water? Because you're not thirsty, you're bored, that's why. I make parents tremble in fear when I call home: I hope I haven't called at a bad time, I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today. Billy said, 'Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?' And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen. I make parents see their children for who they are and what they can be. 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 spell 'definitely beautiful', 'definitely beautiful', 'definitely beautiful' over and over and over again until they will never misspell either one of those words again. I make them show all their work in math. And hide it on their final drafts in English. I make them understand that if you have brains, then you follow your heart and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention. Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true: I make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children. Now, what about you? What do you make?" Taylor Mali Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:9 & 10 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8 & 9 We are praying for our schools, students, and teachers across the country in the '05-'06 school year! The music is from Ginger's Piano Place. Visit her site to hear more beautiful music! Marilyn's Hideaway ~ Cancer Site ~ Children ~ Computers Critters ~ Domestic Violence ~ Good Old Days ~ Holidays Humor ~ Inspirationals ~ Katrina ~ Miscellaneous Patriotic ~ Poetry ~ Women ~ Norma Marek's Poetry