You better THANK a teacher for the fact that you can DO that skill. -Larry Smith

So, I went to buy a book for class today

which I'm returning by the way, because it looks like we're never going to use it. Serves me right, I NEVER buy books for my classes, especially EDU classes because they end up just being a waste of money since we never use them. Sorry for that little rant...

OK, so I'm at the checkout paying for the book, and I'm also in a huge hurry because class is at 4:30, and it's approximately 4:15. The title of the book is something like, How to Teach Children with Learning Problems

which I already don't like because I think the word problems has a bad connotation to it, why couldn't they have used a word like challenges or difficulties? To me, problems makes it sound like something they may never overcome and there is something wrong with them

Ok, enough of my rambling... So the guy reads the title and says "Wow. Learning Problems, huh? That doesn't sound too fun."

Now, normally I suffer from what some call word vomit, or not having a filter. Which basically means I say the first thing that comes to mind and then end up regretting it later, but for some reason when people put down teaching or question my career choice, I draw a blank. If anyone out there has a good comeback, I would greatly appreciate it!

So I just respond that "it's actually really great and my major is SpEd and I'm really looking forward to learning more about it." His response, "Why do you like it so much?" I turn to him and...

Why do I like it? Why wouldn't I like it? I love to see the kids faces light up when they finally "get it", I love that the kids are excited to read and I have had a little bit to do with that, I love that they CAN read, and I've helped them with that too, I love that they're no longer behind in certain subjects because of the time that we've spent together, I love that their parents are seeing them progress and are no longer hurting because their child is finally typical, and most of all I love giving these kids the chance that no one else has ever given them.

Now, did I say any of that? No, because I totally drew a blank and when someone is talking down to me or criticizing me, I feel like I am so little and beneath them, that I don't even deserve to respond.

So, I politely said that I'm looking forward to being a Special Ed teacher because it's so rewarding, thanked him for the book, and left.

I hate saying that, "It's rewarding." Yes, absolutely it is, but that's not why I do it. I don't do it for me to feel happy, I do it for those kids and parents to feel happy. So now, here it is five hours later and I'm still thinking about it, and I probably will for awhile, contemplating what I should have said, how I should have thrown it back in his face, said I can't imagine doing anything else with my life, and he's lucky teachers have to get background checks because I'd like nothing more than to jump over this counter and slap him (ok, not really, but that would have been awesome, right?).

So, I leave you with this poem. I am totally in love with it and have been for years. If you're an educator, you'll appreciate it too :)

He says the problem with teachers is, "What's a kid going to learnfrom someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers:
That those who can, do; those who can't, teach.

I decide to bite my tongue instead of his and resist the urge to remind the other dinner guests that it's also true what they say about lawyers.

Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite company.

"I mean, you're a teacher.""Be honest. What do you make?"

And I wish he hadn't done that(asked me to be honest)because, you see, I have a policy about honesty which is, if you ask for it, then I have to let you have it.

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 honorand I can make an A- feel like a slap in the face.How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.

You wanna know what I make?

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hallin absolute silence. Why won't I let you go to the bathroom? Because you're bored and you don't really have to go, do you?

You wanna know what I make?

I make parents tremble in fear when I call home:"Hi, I hope I haven't called at a bad time,I just wanted to talk to you about something your son did today. He said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?"And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen.

I make parents see their children for who they areand who they can be.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids wonder.

I make kids question.

I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them write, write, write.

And then I make them read.

I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitelybeautiful 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 then hide it on their final drafts in English.

I make them realize that if you got this (brains)then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention.

Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true: I make a difference! What about you?

LOVE it!!!!

By the way, today marks the three year anniversary that one of my friends shot himself. I think I've held it together pretty well today and thank God for that. But we're all missing you T, and I'm sure you're looking over all of us. Looking forward to seeing you again :)