What do you 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 emphasize 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 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 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.

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, 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.

Rules for Teachers (1872)

1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, and clean chimneys.

2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.

3. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.

4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.

5. After ten hours in school, the teacher may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.

6. Women teachers who marry or engage in umseemly conduct will be dismissed.

7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.

8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity, and honesty.

9. The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.

We've come a long ways from the one room schoolhouses. Any thoughts?

Updated post...Carnegie Mellon University Last Lecture

Updated post: Professor Randy Pausch lost his fight to incurable terminal cancer, on Friday, July 25, 2008. Thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children.

Click here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/

Original post June 18, 2008

I am like a "magnet" when it comes to inspirational educational moments.

For those of you not familiar with Professor Randy Pausch, here is some information I obtained from the Carnegie Mellon's website:

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch is dying from pancreatic cancer (and is married with 3 small children). He gave his last lecture at the University Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving talk, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.

"I, like Moses, can see the promise land, but won't set foot on it. And that is okay." -Randy Pausch (Translation: He inspires students and his personal children to seek their "childhood" dreams. He can see them along the way through every step, but won't live long enough to see them attain their goal.)

Letter from the White House

His original "last lecture" is 1 hour, 16 minutes, 26 seconds long. You can view it by typing "Randy Pausch last lecture" on youtube. To view shorter version click here to watch video: http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw

It is very moving and provides perspectives that we can all benefit from.

10 minute reprisal:



P.S. Professor Pausch's up-date: Randy is still with us but he is struggling with complications from chemo. To learn more about him, up-dates on his status, and information about pancreatic cancer, you can visit his website by clicking here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/

My prayer: You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. My fervant prayer is that you will defy all odds, Lord willing, and live to be a very old man and be able to see your children grow into adults. I admire your attitude and courage, while at the same time, inspired by the spirit you choose to live by on a daily basis. May God richly bless you and your family during this very difficult time.