The teacher at the dinner party

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 emphasize 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 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 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, 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 .

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?'

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

Green Christmas

It was my goal last year to pursue a green Christmas....some of you may think this is easy since trees are green, garland can be made from that green sparkly stuff, and the recognized colors of the holiday season just happen to be red and GREEN. Well hold your hats because I am referring to the new pop culture definition of the word green.

Eco-friendly, Environmentally Friendly, tree-hugger--you know. So here are a list of websites that offer fair trade goods, green-friendly products, and some great gift ideas for those of you trying to do your part!

http://www.eco-artware.com/index.php
http://www.greenhome.com/
http://www.wedgeworldwide.coop/index.php
http://www.zanisa.com/
http://www.greenfeet.com/index.asp
http://www.earthinspire.com/
http://www.arenaturals.com/
http://www.giftswithhumanity.com/
www.thehungersite.com
http://nosweatapparel.com/index.html
www.ornamentalthings.com
http://www.taraluna.com/index.htm
http://www.worldwildlife.org/home.html

Love it!!
Happy Christmas