WHAT DO INSTRUCTORS MAKE?
(Adapted and altered from an e-mail message)
(Dedicated to all of my teachers... to all who instructed me in my career [and the patient Elders who gifted me, ability]... and to all who have instructed Peace Keepers... and to those who currently instruct Peace Keepers.)
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with the educational process. He argued, "What's a student going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become an Instructor?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about Teachers/Instructors: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're an Instructor. Be honest. What do you make?"
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with the educational process. He argued, "What's a student going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become an Instructor?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about Teachers/Instructors: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're an Instructor. Be honest. What do you make?"
(Of course he meant in dollars...)
The Instructor who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,
The Instructor who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,
"You want to know what I make?
(Paused for a second... then began...)
"Well, I make students work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a passing grade feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make students sit through 50 minutes of class time when others cannot
I make a passing grade feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make students sit through 50 minutes of class time when others cannot
make them sit for 5 minutes without being entertained...
You want to know what I make?
(Pausing again, and looking at each and every person at the table.)
I make them wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them experience what they need to know.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to communicate and then I make them communicate.
I make them listen, see and learn.
I make them show all their efforts in problem solving.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English.
I make my training space a place where all my recruits and students learn safety and survival as well as job application to achieve the goal set for them.
I make my students stand at attention to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we are a vital part of... and represent... the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given... the knowledge and the experience they receive, apply them well in hard work, and follow their hearts... they can succeed in life and profession.
(Pausing one last time... and then continuing.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by the dollars I make and the position that I holdin life, 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...
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE...
What do you make?"
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