I got this in an E-mail and had to share :D

WHAT 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 stress 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
> >>>
> >>> 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.
> >>>
> >>> Finally, 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 and 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.

Bingo.

Financially, it is such a shame the low salary what teachers make, along with police officers & firefighters.

It's not only all they do for the children, also figure in the extra hours they put in grading papers, making up tests, etc. and I've heard of teachers buying school supplies with their own money.

I'm sure you know all about that though!

Financially, it is such a shame the low salary what teachers make, along with police officers & firefighters.

It's not only all they do for the children, also figure in the extra hours they put in grading papers, making up tests, etc. and I've heard of teachers buying school supplies with their own money.

you said it! teachers, police officers & firefighters are making NOWHERE enough as they should be. it's sad that movie stars can make millions of dollars with a movie, yet teachers, cops & firefighters aren't getting that much and doing a lot more good. and yes, i remember some teachers in high school would buy scantrons for our tests because funding for the science departments were low.

What really saddens me is when people bash teachers, police officers, firefighters, and mail carriers when they ask for a raise, but they say nothing about the celebrities and profession athletes who make millions. :rolleyes:

That's because celebrities and athletes aren't on the taxpayers payroll. As for teachers salaries when you consider the fact that they only work 9months out of the year and don't even put in a 40hour week and still collect a weekly check during their three months off they make good money depending on how long they've been teaching. I would love to make $40,000 to $60,000 a year and not have to work year round, not work a whole 40hours, get a week off for Thanksgiving, get Christmas eve off and don't have to be back until after new years day, get a week off for spring break, plus every holiday in between and bad weather days and have the perks and job security that they have.

:thanks: :clap :clap :clap I couldn't have said it better myself, Jenny.

^ Jim, if you were a teacher, you would know how untrue what you said is. Teachers put in far more than 40 hours a week. Many teachers spend 10-12 hours a day at work. Just because students are released at 2:30pm doesn't mean that the teachers leave at that time. They have to prepare for the following day and upcoming days as well. They have to create tests, grade papers, make copies of assigments which they create themselves. They have to do lesson plans. The list goes on. They have to be available for tutoring. They have to attend faculty and staff meetings. They have to deal with parents who believe their kid is perfect and should be give an A even though their kid doesn't put forth any effort in school. During their summer break they have to attend mandatory inservice hours to keep their certification. They have to prepare for the next year during their summers. Teachers have to put up with students who don't want to be their, don't want to work, listen or cooperate. They have to put up with students who are verbally abusive and sometimes even physically abusive. The only 'perks' they get are knowing that they make a difference. Being there for kids who otherwise would be alone and ignored. Since when does a teacher make $40,000-$60,000? Maybe a teacher that has been teaching for 25 years or so. Beginning teachers are lucky if they make $24,000. Many teachers have to provide essential belongings such as paper, pencils, etc out of their own pockets because the school and/or district won't pay for it.
I'm sure if you had to spend a week teaching and everything that entails you would think twice before you would think so little of teachers. They are very unappreciated.
Excellent post, Jenny. You know what you're talking about because of your friendships with your former teachers. My husband's sister was a middle-school teacher for 40 years, at the same school. She worked very hard. In class early every day, and like you say, so much preparation and paperwork. When computers became popular, she became the Department Head for that, and she did make 60+, but she earned every cent. In those days, it was easy to get a job in the same school. Now, it's difficult to obtain a position, and many have to travel far to their job.

What really saddens me is when people bash teachers, police officers, firefighters, and mail carriers when they ask for a raise, but they say nothing about the celebrities and profession athletes who make millions. :rolleyes:
:clap As the daughter of a teacher, I couldn't agree more.

^ Jim, if you were a teacher, you would know how untrue what you said is. Teachers put in far more than 40 hours a week. Many teachers spend 10-12 hours a day at work. Just because students are released at 2:30pm doesn't mean that the teachers leave at that time. They have to prepare for the following day and upcoming days as well. They have to create tests, grade papers, make copies of assigments which they create themselves. They have to do lesson plans. The list goes on. They have to be available for tutoring. They have to attend faculty and staff meetings. They have to deal with parents who believe their kid is perfect and should be give an A even though their kid doesn't put forth any effort in school. During their summer break they have to attend mandatory inservice hours to keep their certification. They have to prepare for the next year during their summers. Teachers have to put up with students who don't want to be their, don't want to work, listen or cooperate. They have to put up with students who are verbally abusive and sometimes even physically abusive. The only 'perks' they get are knowing that they make a difference. Being there for kids who otherwise would be alone and ignored. Since when does a teacher make $40,000-$60,000? Maybe a teacher that has been teaching for 25 years or so. Beginning teachers are lucky if they make $24,000. Many teachers have to provide essential belongings such as paper, pencils, etc out of their own pockets because the school and/or district won't pay for it.
I'm sure if you had to spend a week teaching and everything that entails you would think twice before you would think so little of teachers. They are very unappreciated.
My dad, a foreign language teacher, has had to put up with unruly kids, difficult parents, tough supervisors, and the constant threat of his position being eliminated. Budget cuts, always being at the mercy of levies...Jenny, you hit it right on the head. He always had a long commute to and from his job - an hour drive to and from. That's why it always irritates me when these pro athletes whine and cry that they only make $10 million a year. Boo hoo - they wouldn't last 5 minutes if they had to put up with what goes into a teaching position!!!

In the state of WV teachers only work four days a week because they get Wednesdays off in order to attend a meeting at Jacksons Mill. $24,000 starting pay is pretty sweet when you consider that it takes your average Joe six pack three to five years to make that much and in allot of states school teachers are the highest paid non federal public employees. In all fairness if you go to work in the public sector you shouldn't expect to start out making $30,000 to $40,000 a year and not work year round and since I have relatives that were teachers, have former classmates that are teachers and still talk to my former teachers I know that they don't start planning until the week before school starts so that whole working all summer sob story doesn't cut it with me. All the other stuff previously mentioned posted by Family Ties Forever allot of people go to seminars, meetings, and do side jobs but you don't hear them complain.

Wow! I am a teacher (have been for the last 10 years) and I can say I appreciate the support of most of the posters on this thread.

I will also say that I do work a 40 hour work week (well those are the hours I'm paid for...I actually put in more time than that.)

I make less than $40,000per year.

I DO NOT get paid to sit around all summer. I get paid for the days I work during the school year and then choose to spread that out over the whole year. It's not free money.

I then spend my own money to take classes in the summer to keep up my certification.

I go back to school several weeks before I am paid to go back, so my classroom and materials will be ready for my students.

I buy school supplies every year for children who cannot afford them.

I buy cleaning supplies for my classroom.

I buy all of the materials hanging on the walls in my classroom.

I have a staff meeting every week that lasts and hour past my duty day and I do not get paid for it.

I am facing constant demands from parents, students, administration, and the state. In my class of 20 students, ten do not speak English. Eight have serious learning challenges. Some have parents in prison. Two are homeless. These children are 6 years old and I must have them all at grade level by May...and you can bet they will be because I am dedicated to what I do!

I am not complaining about it either...I love my job. I love the kids. I am happy to work with the parents (even the ones who complain.) That's what I do...it was my choice. I would not want a different job. That is why I went to college, earned a masters in special education and an endorsment in second language education. That is why I am still paying back student loans after all these years. However, I think anyone who feels I don't really work very hard and get paid a lot doesn't really understand all I do.

I will admit it is nice to have holidays off...but I don't think that makes me overpaid. I only get to go to the bathroom twice a day (due to my classroom schedule,) so I think that evens things out.

I got this in an E-mail and had to share :D

WHAT 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 stress 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
> >>>
> >>> 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.
> >>>
> >>> Finally, 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 and 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.
Thanks for posting that ChesneyLady. I've read it before, but it always makes me feel good. :)

Thanks for posting that ChesneyLady. I've read it before, but it always makes me feel good. :)
My hat's off to you...teachers are the great unsung heroes of all time. :clap

That's because celebrities and athletes aren't on the taxpayers payroll. As for teachers salaries when you consider the fact that they only work 9months out of the year and don't even put in a 40hour week and still collect a weekly check during their three months off they make good money depending on how long they've been teaching. I would love to make $40,000 to $60,000 a year and not have to work year round, not work a whole 40hours, get a week off for Thanksgiving, get Christmas eve off and don't have to be back until after new years day, get a week off for spring break, plus every holiday in between and bad weather days and have the perks and job security that they have.
Teachers don't work??? EXCUSE ME??? You have no idea just how ignorant you really are. I'd like to see somebody stick you in a classroom with 30 screaming kindergarteners whose parents, quote, "can't make them sit still for 5 minutes without an iPod" and see YOU try to make them sit still for 40 minutes long and actually get them to LEARN something in that time. But for you, I believe that would be quite impossible. To do so takes talent and intelligence...your ignorance would automatically disqualify you from the job. And if you actually had to do it, it would immediately get you fired. Putting down such selfless, remarkable people who give so much of themselves to teaching children, btw, is VERY far from intelligent.

Wow! I am a teacher (have been for the last 10 years) and I can say I appreciate the support of most of the posters on this thread.

I will also say that I do work a 40 hour work week (well those are the hours I'm paid for...I actually put in more time than that.)

I make less than $40,000per year.

I DO NOT get paid to sit around all summer. I get paid for the days I work during the school year and then choose to spread that out over the whole year. It's not free money.

I then spend my own money to take classes in the summer to keep up my certification.

I go back to school several weeks before I am paid to go back, so my classroom and materials will be ready for my students.

I buy school supplies every year for children who cannot afford them.

I buy cleaning supplies for my classroom.

I buy all of the materials hanging on the walls in my classroom.

I have a staff meeting every week that lasts and hour past my duty day and I do not get paid for it.

I am facing constant demands from parents, students, administration, and the state. In my class of 20 students, ten do not speak English. Eight have serious learning challenges. Some have parents in prison. Two are homeless. These children are 6 years old and I must have them all at grade level by May...and you can bet they will be because I am dedicated to what I do!

I am not complaining about it either...I love my job. I love the kids. I am happy to work with the parents (even the ones who complain.) That's what I do...it was my choice. I would not want a different job. That is why I went to college, earned a masters in special education and an endorsment in second language education. That is why I am still paying back student loans after all these years. However, I think anyone who feels I don't really work very hard and get paid a lot doesn't really understand all I do.

I will admit it is nice to have holidays off...but I don't think that makes me overpaid. I only get to go to the bathroom twice a day (due to my classroom schedule,) so I think that evens things out.
:thumbsup: :clap

YOU SAID IT FACTSFAN!!!!! Some of the greatest friends and most positive influences in my life have been the teachers I've had over the years. I had a very hard home life like a lot of people and it was never my mother, but my teachers who kept me going and didn't let me give up. They didn't just teach me English and algebra and biology. They taught me friendship. They were some of the only people I had to confide in. They took time out of their busy days for me when I needed somebody to talk to. Their love and generosity enabled me to care about getting a good education when ordinarily, I wouldn't have cared at all. I was an A and B student, yes, but they were the REASON I was an A and B student and have been able to be good in college too. People like FactsFan are a rare and remarkable breed. I couldn't stand being in a classroom with one kindergarterner without an iPod for FIVE minutes, let alone a whole classroom of them for FORTY! People who have Job-like patience and are paid such a hideously low salary on top of that are angels on earth if you ask me.

:thumbsup: :clap

YOU SAID IT FACTSFAN!!!!! Some of the greatest friends and most positive influences in my life have been the teachers I've had over the years. I had a very hard home life like a lot of people and it was never my mother, but my teachers who kept me going and didn't let me give up. They didn't just teach me English and algebra and biology. They taught me friendship. They were some of the only people I had to confide in. They took time out of their busy days for me when I needed somebody to talk to. Their love and generosity enabled me to care about getting a good education when ordinarily, I wouldn't have cared at all. I was an A and B student, yes, but they were the REASON I was an A and B student and have been able to be good in college too. People like FactsFan are a rare and remarkable breed. I couldn't stand being in a classroom with one kindergarterner without an iPod for FIVE minutes, let alone a whole classroom of them for FORTY! People who have Job-like patience and are paid such a hideously low salary on top of that are angels on earth if you ask me.

A very nice post. :)

Wow! I am a teacher (have been for the last 10 years) and I can say I appreciate the support of most of the posters on this thread.

I will also say that I do work a 40 hour work week (well those are the hours I'm paid for...I actually put in more time than that.)

I make less than $40,000per year.

I DO NOT get paid to sit around all summer. I get paid for the days I work during the school year and then choose to spread that out over the whole year. It's not free money.

I then spend my own money to take classes in the summer to keep up my certification.

I go back to school several weeks before I am paid to go back, so my classroom and materials will be ready for my students.

I buy school supplies every year for children who cannot afford them.

I buy cleaning supplies for my classroom.

I buy all of the materials hanging on the walls in my classroom.

I have a staff meeting every week that lasts and hour past my duty day and I do not get paid for it.

I am facing constant demands from parents, students, administration, and the state. In my class of 20 students, ten do not speak English. Eight have serious learning challenges. Some have parents in prison. Two are homeless. These children are 6 years old and I must have them all at grade level by May...and you can bet they will be because I am dedicated to what I do!

I am not complaining about it either...I love my job. I love the kids. I am happy to work with the parents (even the ones who complain.) That's what I do...it was my choice. I would not want a different job. That is why I went to college, earned a masters in special education and an endorsment in second language education. That is why I am still paying back student loans after all these years. However, I think anyone who feels I don't really work very hard and get paid a lot doesn't really understand all I do.

I will admit it is nice to have holidays off...but I don't think that makes me overpaid. I only get to go to the bathroom twice a day (due to my classroom schedule,) so I think that evens things out.

You sound like a wonderful teacher, B. :) Reading your post I could tell how much you love your job and your students. I was touched. :)