The teacher tops them all

Here is an old article that was featured on a website many years ago. As to the author, I could not identify, but the material is so lovely I want to share this, with a little updating and paraphrasing of my own.

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 five without an iPad, PlayStation or movie rental...

You want to know what I make?” (She paused again and looked at each person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them criticize.

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.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag; because we live in the Philippines. 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, 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?” (perhaps alluding to the charge that all the businessman knows is to make money). End of article.

I had a terrible time in high school. Never participated in recitation, failed to pass assignments on time, flunked, repeated and was dubbed “the dumbest kid in school.” I had a terrible attitude and always felt sorry for myself. I was the only kid in school who had to go to a university to fetch my then girlfriend-The Ilocana. Wearing my white shirt, khaki pants and sometimes forgetting that I still have my high school pin on it. It was embarrassing.

Then I entered college and decided to do something I have never done before in my life. I studied! On my first quiz in Natural Science 101, I met a professor, Mrs. Fely Ramos. I focused on the subject. Reviewed the notes and got a 100 percent score in my first quiz. She looked at me; not knowing me from the first two weeks of my college career and then said, “Francis I know you will be a scholar in this school if you work hard and focus on your studies.”

That was all she did to give me the confidence I needed. Perhaps apart from Lilia, The Ilocana who is now my wife for many years here is this teacher who believed in me. She inspired me and encouraged me, and I graduated top in my college four years later.

Yes, the teacher makes a difference. Perhaps this is the reason why I do what I do. I speak, but basically, it is because I train and I teach. And I have the best of both worlds. I am in business as well. But I still consider myself as first and foremost a teacher who wants to make a difference and would explain why I have not given up giving talks and seminars to teachers, parents, and students for many years and have not charged fees nor require honorarium for doing so.

People ask me, “So you do this pro-bono?” I smiled and responded in the affirmative. But deep inside me, I think “I am doing this pro-Deo.” It is what God has called me to do, and to Him I find delight in doing so. All these “Knowing Your Why” cliches and awareness that is now a buzzword with many corporate training programs has been evident to me, and it took a professor to inspire me to actualize this.

The strongest role of a teacher is to make a difference in the lives of the students, and yes, there is also truth in the statement that “Teachers make every other profession possible.”

Perhaps as a person in business, or even as a parent; allow me to remind you that you are a teacher too!

(Attend the two exciting and inspiring days of leadership training with Francis Kong in his highly acclaimed Level Up Leadership seminar-workshop this April 2-3 at the Makati Diamond Residences across Greenbelt 1. For registration or inquiries contact Abby at 09175336817 or Cj at 09176299401 or register online at www.levelupleadership.ph)