A tribute to the teachers.

I received the email below from a teacher. As a retired teacher myself, I know that there are places where teachers are not well respected. Of course, there are instances where teachers themselves are to blame for some of them, like some in the other professions, treat their work as just another means to a pay-check. But then, there are good, if not excellent, teachers who are truly dedicated to their profession. Such teachers throughout the world ought to read what one lady has to say about a teacher's job and what she thinks of those who have no respect for the jobs done by others. I totally agree with her and therefore, I would like to thank the writer of this article. Unfortunately, I do not know who he/she is and therefore am unable to request for permission to have it put here.
(The words in brackets are mine.)
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Article is sent from a friend, share it with all teachers here....

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO (proud of being a professional), 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?' (I decided to be a teacher even when I was in primary school simply because a few of my teacher were great in inspiring me to do something meaningful in life and teaching is one of those things.) He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.' (That is obviously from someone who do not understand for I am one of those who can use as well teach English very well.) To stress his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher, Mary. Be honest. What do you make?' Mary, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, 'You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began...)

'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Medal of Honor. 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 maths. 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, to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the National Flag, and sing the National Anthem, because we live in this great country. 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.'

Mary 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.

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER YOU KNOW. and all your personal teachers like mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, your spiritual teachers, (everybody, for everyone of us who do take time to teach a child is a teachers. Just as I have said before, every parent is a teacher to his/her child.)