Meryl Streep has my respect. I love how she accepted her award and shared what her mother would have said to her. I can't imagine putting on a party dress and pretending that an award show is important when all you can think about is the suffering in Haiti. I'm so glad that there is a strong faith present in the people of Haiti. I can't imagine going through such suffering without the gift of faith.
I often channel what my mom would say to me in various situations. She had an unwavering faith and quiet charisma. I am never alone because she is always with me -- when I stop and think I know what advice she would give. It is nice when you hit the age when you KNOW what you have to do. You know what is right and you no longer hesitate to do it. I wonder sometimes how it is that she has already been gone for 5 years; and yet her words are still fresh in my mind.
Our mothers stay with us. Today we put away my dad's holiday decorations. There was so much less work to do because he is coming into his own again. He does not realize how much better he is now. Not just in recovering from grave illness, no -- he is recovering from horrible grief. He has come so far. We all have. Time heals us in so many ways; yet we still have a hole that can not be filled.
On another front..... Teaching is amazing. My mind never stops. I am quite tired. I get it now. 35 students per class is a lot when it takes 15 minutes per paper to get the grading done. Could someone please give me more hours in the day? The hard part of teaching is keeping up on the grading. Also, if California can resist cutting education why can't my state? Why is it that people in my state resent what teachers get paid? Seriously? Why would you degrade the people you trust with your children every day? I have more education that most doctors and yet I don't deserve my silly $39,0000? Really? I value my kids and want quality teachers. I wish I was in charge and could fix education sometimes... then I wake up and am glad I can make a difference for my 35 per class. Who the heck cares if their parents do not appreciate me. My students know I'm here to help them.
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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 teacher?"
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 winner.
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 about 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?”
(someone sent that to me recently -- hope it lifts your head.)
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