10 Things Teachers Make (by Taylor Mali)

The dinner guests sat around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, explained 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 that it's true what they say about teachers:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a teacher, Taylor. Be honest. What do you make?"

Taylor, who has a thing for being honest and frank replied:

"You want to know what I make...?" (Watch the video below for the AWESOME slam answer:)

1) "I make kids wonder."

2) "I make them question."

3) "I make them criticize."

4) "I make them apologize and mean it."

5) "I make them write."

6) "I make them read, read, read."

7) "I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, and definitely beautiful over and over and over again, until they will never misspell either one of those words again."

8) "I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English."

9) "I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart... and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention."

"You want to know what I make?"

10)  "I make a difference."

"What about you?

~Adapted from Author, Taylor Mali~

Susan notes: dedicated to all the teachers who made a HUGE difference in my life. The poem by Taylor Mali is absolutely beautiful: creative, funny and most important, kick-ass!