A friend of mine who shares my love for public education sent me this a few days ago.  It hits the nail on the head when it comes to setting our priorities about the importance of education in a free society. I am delivering it to you just as it came to me. Pass it along if you see fit:

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?”

To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Mary. Be
honest. What do you make?”

Mary, 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 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 a 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.

“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.” Mary
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.

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER, EVERY CEO, EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW.

Even all your personal teachers like mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters,
coaches and your spiritual leaders/teachers.

A truly profound answer!!!

Teaching is… the profession that makes all other professions possible!

Thanks, Ray Player, a teacher’s son, for sending this my way.