Dedicated to All Teachers......

Among all the jobs that I have tried till now, I love teaching the most. It was and will always be my first love. Yes, I have been a cleaner, waitress, nanny, typist, shop-keeper, stenographer, secretary, chef, teacher and currently am a property agent. I derive the most satisfaction from teaching and affecting young minds and hearts.

My favourite level is from Secondary One to Four when students are at their most impressionable. As they enter adolescence, a thousand and one questions fill their young minds. Adolescence is also one of the most difficult as they try to adapt mentally, physically and emotionally.

I guess this love for teaching is still inculcated in me so that when my agents ask me questions, I try to explain to them in a clear and interesting manner. This is also probably why I enjoy being a Language Evaluator at toastmasters' meetings. This is also probably why I will soon be joining another real estate company where I can also be a part time trainer of new agents.

I do not know who has come up with the statement, ""Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." The person has overlooked the fact that teachers are indeed one of the most versatile creatures on this planet! How else does a teacher manage a class of 30 to 40 students; get their attention to what he is saying and teaching; get the students to pay school and miscellaneous fees on time every month; get sandwiched between students, parents, principals and committee members; come up with creative ideas for his lessons as well as extra-curricular activities, organise school camp activities and counsel students when they err and is every ready to present himself as someone "big, strong and friendly" like the Standard Chartered Bank.!

Is this probably why a shrewd and eagle-eyed entrepreneur friend of mine in Canada once told me, "If any teacher comes to me and says he wants to join my company, I readily welcome him, for I know he will be able to quickly adapt to the demands of my company." Wow, Mr. Suvan was such a fore-sighted and successful businessman.!

I hope my readers will enjoy the article below. It was emailed to me by my ex-English lecturer, Dr. Clive Scharenguivel.


Dedicated to all teachers... Something teachers can be proud of.
What Teachers Make
God bless you all good teachers!!!

This is dedicated to all the teachers out there.

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, 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 the Congressional 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 IPod, 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, placing their hand over their heart to say the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in
the United States of America.

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.


THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER YOU KNOW.

P/S She forgot to say 'I make future CEOs'