Here is an extract from a school principal’s speech at a graduation ceremony.
He said “The Doctor wants his child to become a doctor………
The Engineer wants his child to become an engineer……
The Businessman wants his ward to become CEO…..
BUT a teacher also wants his child to become one of them, as well..!!!!
Nobody wants to become a teacher BY CHOICE” ….Very sad but that’s the truth…..!!!
Following the function, all the dignitaries including a CEO of a multinational company, the chief guest at the graduation ceremony function sat down to a sumptuous dinner. Naturally the topic of the day was life and education. The CEO was in an expansive mood and decided to debate the problems with education with the rest of the guests which included people from all walks of life including teachers of the school.
He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become only a teacher?”
To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Mrs Sharma. Be honest. What do you make?”
Teacher Mrs Sharma, 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 winner.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 min. 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 how 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 about India while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
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.
(Mrs Sharma 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 IN ALL YOUR LIVES, EDUCATING KIDS AND PREPARING THEM TO BECOME CEO’s, AND DOCTORS AND ENGINEERS……….
What do you make Mr. CEO?
His jaw dropped; he went silent.
Salute every teacher you know. They made you what you are…
