What teachers make...

[TheeBadOne]

What Teachers Make

By Taylor Mali
www.taylormali.com


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:

That those who can, do; those who can't, teach.

I decide to bite my tongue instead of his
and resist the urge to remind the other dinner guests
that it's also true what they say about lawyers.

Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite conversation.

"I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor"
"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:
which is, if you ask for it, then 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 I can make an A- feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.

You wanna know what I make?

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence.
No, you can not work in groups.
No, you can not ask a question (so put your hand down)
Why won't I let you go to the bathroom?
Because you're bored and you don't really have to go, do you?

You wanna know what I make?

I make parents tremble in fear when I call home at around dinner time:
"Hi, This is Mr. Mali, I hope I haven't called at a bad time,
I just wanted to talk to you about something your son did today.
he 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 who they can be.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write, write, write.
And then I make them read.
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely
beautiful
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 then hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them realize that if you got this (brains)
then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make, you give them this (the finger).

Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
I make a difference! What about you?

[DaMadman]

Very nice. Since my Sister is a teacher I understand where this comes from.

[Gunslingergirl]

That's a great essay.

I know some teachers I need to share that with.

GSG

[8X56MS]

Johnny still can't read, despite billions of dollars thrown at the problem. Now if that can be fixed, and you dump the teacher's union, and weed out the anti American socialists that fill the teacher ranks, and I will support them again.

[BILLY D.]

Originally posted by 8X56MS
Johnny still can't read, despite billions of dollars thrown at the problem. Now if that can be fixed, and you dump the teacher's union, and weed out the anti American socialists that fill the teacher ranks, and I will support them again.

And stop making History to fit the present, and keep your personal politics to yourself, the classrom is not a lecturn for teaching your politics, and stop sexually abusing our children, you are supposed to be an example to them, not their first sexual experience. And etc. adnauseam.

Bill

[Dan Morris]

Originally posted by BILLY D.
And stop making History to fit the present, and keep your personal politics to yourself, the classrom is not a lecturn for teaching your politics, and stop sexually abusing our children, you are supposed to be an example to them, not their first sexual experience. And etc. adnauseam.

Bill

I'm gonna agree with this...being the PC sheep that I am!
Dan

[8X56MS]

I want to make it clear, that there are many wonderful teachers working with our kids. Not all, by any means, are socialists, with an anti American agenda.
The American educational system is under the control of the unions, and many of the administrators, teachers college professors and school board types do not have our children's or our countries's best interest at heart.
For those that work hard, and put up with the things they do to try and educate our kids, a big thanks.
For the others............. well, I can't say what I want to here.

[jon lynn]

I remember a mere four teachers who I still respect and remember fondly. They had their querks, as we humans do, but they inspired learning, and made the school days desireable. Two in grammer school, and two in high school...............25 years later I wish I could talk to a few of them about life now, I'd still trust them.

Of the countless other teachers I had, who just openly didn't care I hope they read Taylor Mali's piece here.

[popplecop]

Before we get down on some of the K-12 teachers. let us take a good hard look where they receive their education.

[fabsroman]

1st grade - Mrs. Gowling
2nd grade - Mrs. Bransford
3rd grade - Mrs. Eubanks
4th grade - Mrs. Mills
5th grade - Mrs. Gramlich (sp.)
6th grade - Mrs. Holiday

After that, I went to Intermediate School and had 7 periods a day, so the list would get rather long.

Here are some of the better ones:

Mr. Romero
Ms. Brock
Mr. Quail
Mr. Bailey
Mrs. Hogue

Same goes for high school. I can name a ton of my teachers from high school and it has been 18 years since I graduated. I would guess that I can name 10+ without really getting into it.

Spanish Teachers:
Ms. Middlebrook
Mr. Bain
Mrs. Gonzalez

Math:
Mr. Groomes
Mrs. Wysong
Ms. Lorenson - taught me that life isn't fair

Science:
Ms. Brock - same one from Intermediate School
Mr. Henderson

Gym:
Mr. Haberman

English:
Mrs. Taylor
Mr. Livengood
MRs. Richardson

History:
Mr. Judd
Mr. Wilson
Mr. Castingway

Band:
Mr. Dvorak

I guess some of us just paid better attention in class.

As far as teachers are concerned, there are some bad ones out there, but there are a lot of good ones. Have any of you stopped to think that maybe some of the teachers are saying the same thing about parents. I know some teachers and they are always complaining about how poorly behaved children are. Maybe the problem starts at home, and carries over to school. Teachers have to deal with that crap for a crappy salary, and the ones with their heart in it to begin with are quickly swayed. Then, you get the less qualified ones.

Our problems with our children aren't because of teachers, but because of us.

[Hawkeye6]

I probably should not comment on this subject. My Mother was a teacher (1st through 8th in a country school.) One of my sisters is a retired teacher who spent the last part of her career on special needs. One of my other sisters is a HS science teacher nearing retirement. My wife is a teacher, ESL in Middle School.

[Lilred]

All I got to say on the subject is that it's a GOOD thing that Lilred aint no teacher....
cause every one of them kids would be in along line waitin to get a red butt with an apple switch. Legal er not....

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Yes some teachers have and do make a difference in the world. I do however think now days much of school is just a daycare 1-12 for the working parents. I ran into one of my old school teachers one day and she just started to cry..... I thought at first she was glad to see me....then later on during a reflection of the day, I realized she seen just how darn old she was.....lmao..... anyhow I cut and copied the 'what do teachers make' thing and gave it to my oldest daughter.....she is a teacher......and by the way a few of her students are in the picture I posted in anything goes sportsmens club jr fishing derby.....and these kids know me as Mrs. Woods' dad......yes I am proud of my teacher.

[scalerman]

While I do agree that the parents can be and in many cases are the problem I also think that we need to look at a society that says that spanking your child is not allowed- as a matter of fact it is considered abuse/assault. I know people who got spanked/ disciplined every day by one parent or another- that is abuse. I can remember getting spanked only a few times and I deserved every stroke my father gave me. Taking away the option of disciplining our children breeds a total disrespect for authority. IMHO children are actually looking for boundaries, ones that are clearly defined and not negotiable. I also believe that they are then expecting to suffer consequences when they step over these boundaries. When this does not happen then they begin to get frustrated and try harder to push the boundaries to see exactly where the boundaries are. I believe that we are instilling a sense of insecurity and fear into our children by not disciplining them, or by not setting boundaries. Yes I know that there are some who take the discipline thing too far and step over into abuse- is the only option then to take this tool away from all in hopes that the few who abuse their children won't anymore?
This seems to me to be a poor course of action- all are assumed to be guilty without even the option of proving otherwise. I don't profess to know what the answer is. I know parents who struggle with this constantly. Their kids tell them that if they spank them a call to family services wil be forthcoming. I am rambling on. This is a subject that does not have any easy answers. I think that teachers for the most part are a great group of people. They take on a responsibliity that most of us don't want. Just a look into where I am coming from.