I received this in an email...

"What do 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 emphasize his point he said to another
guest; 'You're a teacher, Ned.
Be honest. What do you make?'

Ned, who had a reputation for honesty
and frankness replied,
'You want to know what I make?
(He 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?' (he 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.'

(He 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.