I
have to admit that I was glued to CJAD today, listening to the coverage
of the student protests. The CJAD reporters were interviewing
participants at the protest and I was astounded to hear an interview
with a professor in support of the students. The Dawson College
professor (I did not catch his name) stated that in class, he respects
and listens to his students and questioned why he wouldn't respect and
listen to them during this time. He continued by saying that he was
participating in the protest to support his students. I was very proud
of him for providing his support because this is what a teacher's job
should be... to support their students. They do not always have to
agree with the students but they should always be a cheerleader for the
students in some active way. They should be role-models for their
students and teach more than just what comes from a textbook... This
teaches students the ultimate lesson: to become active, contributing
members of society who critically analyze the world around them--
showing someone that you care can literally evoke greatness.
As
I was listening to this professor speak, I was reminded of a poem that I
read and fell in love with while studying my Bachelor of Education: What Teachers Make by Taylor Mali. ENJOY!
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 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, Susan,” he said. “Be honest. What do you
make?”
Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness,
replied, “You want to know what I make?”
I make kids work harder than they ever thought they
could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal
of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the
student did not do his or her very best.”
“I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence.”
“I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home”
“You want to know what I make?”
“I make kids wonder.”
“I make them question.”
“I make them criticize.”
“I make them apologize and mean it.”
“I make them write.”
“I make them read, read, read.”
“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.”
“I make them show all their work in math and hide it
all on their final drafts in English.”
“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!”
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