I got this in an email:
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 a Medal of Honour. 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 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 and sing O Canada every morning, because we live in this great country called Canada . 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. What do you make Mr. CEO?"His jaw dropped, he went silent.
That CEO must be a flaming retard. CEO's make a difference--at least I know a good bit that do. And, I have never had a teacher that did any of those things (must be because I'm not in the holy land of Canada). Honestly. I am substituting right now, and anyone stupid enough to be a teacher is beyond me. I still live by the motto of those that can do and those that can't teach. Hell, those that can't teach administrate. I may sound like a hypocrite right now, since I'm sort of teaching, but I would never do this for real. It's a fucking joke. And, just so you know, teachers make a whole hell of a lot more money than they like to let on. Hell, with a couple years experience and a master's, they make more than I would as an Engineer. So, to all the asshole teachers out there, here's a big FUCK YOU.
The end.
I am a teacher, but not an asshole teacher. I am glad to have this job in such bad economic times. The security of knowing that I won't walk into work and be asked to clean out my desk because the business is relocating. As for making money, I'm still waiting. My friend who fixes heaters and air conditioners is doing a hell of a lot better than me. I hate that e-mail too, mainly because of all the sappy sentiment encrusted in it. When I hear such things, I go the other way. All the best...LL
ReplyDeletePlus add the fact that teachers only work from 8:00 until about 3:00 everyday. And they only work 10 months out of the year. When you factor in all that, they make a whole hell of alot more per hour than I do. Not bad for a glorified daycare worker.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that almighty pension, either.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention, most teachers are also union members. That's why Lorenzo has the security of knowing that he will always have a job. Know matter how bad of a job they do, if they are in a union and they have tenure, then it takes an act of congress to fire them. Heaven forbid a teacher should ever have to compete for their job, where they actually have to perform and show some results. The National Education Association is one of the largest unions in America. And they whole-heartedly endorsed Obama for president. Because they know that he will always resist any effort to introduce competition into the education system. Competion such as vouchers, charter schools, tax credits for home-schoolers etc. They are what's wrong with education in our country.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got out of the Army,after serving in Persian Gulf and Bosnia,I had a Psych teacher who was like this. She was very hostile,granted in a subdued manner,because she knew I was proud military. I even confronted her on it one day,and got her to admit she hated the military for they were baby killers and jacked booted thugs(she is a 60's left over). I told her she was welcome,for it was me and my kind that gave her the freedom to call me that. She didn't know how to respond. To day the least,I got a D in the class,which was expected.
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