It's inevitable. Any time the subject of education comes up in a social setting or at a function, I inevitably get the "It must be great to get paid for a full year and only work 9 months" comment. If not that, then something in that vein, or some derogatory remark about what teachers make for working "nine months out of the year". Elsewhere on this blog site I have a video clip of former teacher turned slam poet, Taylor Mali. He wrote a poem entitled "What Teachers Make" that is reprinted here in edited form. I think it is a great response to the "What Do Teachers Make?" question. As we begin a new year, take time to appreciate the teachers that make a difference. A great teacher is priceless, and worth far more than he or she will ever be paid...
By Taylor Maliwww.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: 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 other 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, you¹re 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 tail-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 ask 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, write, write. And then I make them 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 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 real difference! What about you?
The Principal's Office is a blog created by Tim Bearden, Chief Academic Officer and Upper School Director at Detroit Country Day School, an independent school in Beverly Hills, MI. While content will sometimes be specific to Country Day, the majority of posts are specific in scope to issues concerning teaching and learning in the 21st century.
1 comment:
I'm a teacher in Chippewa Valley, and a former grad of GPN (Class of '91). I was visiting North's website and stumbled across your blog and the post "What Teachers Make." I wanted to let you know that it made my night to read this, and I hope you won't mind me sharing it with my colleagues. I don't know a teacher who hasn't heard this comment made regularly, in jest or in all seriousness. It's a shame that education, and those who work in it, need such articles: What does it indicate about how education (and educators) are valued and supported? Yet, we are asked to do more than most with less than just about all. The President wants us to reach achievement levels similar to those in places like South Korea, but is that possible without the public's support, respect, and admiration for teaching? If parents don't exhibit these qualities, how well can we reach their children??
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