What do you make?

An interesting article that an old teacher forwarded to me.

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

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, Meng Li. Be honest. What do you make?'


Meng Li 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 super genius.

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 brains,
not the man-made calculator.

I make them know how to live in harmony with different races.

I make them learn how to cooperate with one another.

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, placing their hands over their hearts to say the
Pledge because we live in Singapore.

I make them ready to stand up and fight for survival of Singapore.



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.'

(Meng Li 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.


Isn't that a good one?

Now, I will also talk about what I do every Sunday afternoon.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS MAKE

We make them feel like super-heroes.

We make them think of the box.

We make them question.

We make them be serious in about the time they have.

We make them respect people and take responsibility for their lives.

We make them learn how to love one another.

We make each session a time where all of them get encouraged.

Finally, we make them understand that if they use the gifts they were
given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Thanks to all volunteers whom I have been serving together with all these years!
YOU have made a big difference in their lives.

Well done!