What Do Teachers Make?
My normal Rebel News post is usually about what the K-5 kids learn throughout the week; however, this post is going to be slightly different than the norm. As I sat at recess today and watched my class swing playfully from the monkey bars, I heard a sweet sound come from the mouths of a […]
My normal Rebel News post is usually about what the K-5 kids learn throughout the week; however, this post is going to be slightly different than the norm.
As I sat at recess today and watched my class swing playfully from the monkey bars, I heard a sweet sound come from the mouths of a few of my students. “I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I am free…” (For those of you who don’t know, our elementary has been preparing for our annual Veteran’s Day program and this is one of the songs the students have been practicing.) Eventually all my students were singing the song. It melted my heart to hear those words come from their mouths. While taking in the beautiful sound of my students’ singing, I began to think about all the joys that teaching has brought to my life. I was reminded of why I became an educator in the first place. I love my students and I love everything about seeing them grow and learn. During this time of reflection I was reminded of a story I heard while taking my Education Classes at Troy University.
The story is titled: I’m a Teacher: I Make Lives
By: Michael Josephson.
“The topic of education came up and a business executive proclaimed the problem is with teachers, after all, “those who can do, and those who can’t teach.” A man next to him said, “I’m a teacher and you don’t know what you are talking about.” So the businessman leaned into the teacher and said, “Be honest, what do you make?” The teacher’s face got red and he said, “I suppose you’re thinking of money, I don’t earn much but let me tell you what I make.” I make children read, think, write, wonder, and talk about important things — such as the world and their role in it. I make them try things they think they can’t do, work harder than they want to and accomplish more than they thought possible, and whenever they do their best, I make them feel proud, capable and worthy. I make them understand that the quality of their life will be determined by their choices, and I make them take responsibility for their actions. I make them appreciate the importance of integrity and honor in a world that too often shows little regard for either. I make them respect themselves and treat others with respect. I make them feel proud and grateful to live in America where people are entitled to be treated fairly and with respect and are judged by their accomplishments and character, not by their color, creed, or the size of their bank account. Most of all, I make a difference. I don’t just make a living, I make lives.”
This story makes me smile and appreciate my career choice. My only hope in becoming a teacher was to make a difference in the life of at least one of my students; little did I know that my students would be the ones that made the difference in my life. — Thanks, Lindsey Williams
