Just Another Lesson

By Jay Soto

One by one the dinner guests were greeted at the door and escorted to the dinning room to be seated around the table. A discussion of life was in progress.

One man, a businessman, decided that he had learned enough

to explain the problem with education.

He expanded, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who has
decided the best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other guests what they say about teachers:

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

To corroborate his point he said to another guest; "You're a
teacher, aren't you Susan? Be honest. What do you make?"

Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness,
replied, "You want to know what I make?

I make your kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make them sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute
silence. I make their Cs feel like As because of their low self esteem.

I make them feel good about themselves.

You want to know what I make?

I make your children think and wonder.

I make your children question, then look up the answers .

I make your children criticize, and how to be critical.

I make your children apologize, and mean it.

I make your children write. I make your children read, read, and read even more.

I make your children show all their work in math.

And in English, I make them perfect a final draft.

I make your children understand that if you never stop learning, and
follow your heart, if someday, someone ever tries to judge you by
what you make, you must pay no attention,

Because it is those, who haven't learned enough."

Susan paused, and then continued, "You want to know what
I make? I make a difference in your own children's lives."

Then, she asked, as she unfolded her napkin, and placed it on her lap.

"Now tell us, other than a fool out of yourself, What do you make?"