The Guests at a Wedding Reception were discussing Professions and the Monetary Benefits that accrued

Talk veered to the Teaching Profession

One of the Guests, a Business Tycoon, managing his Family Business was quite vocal about the State of Education, Quality of Teachers. 1/n

He was scathing with his comments and ranted

"What can you expect a Kid to learn from Someone who decided his best option in life was to become a Teacher, who has not worked in any Industry and who hardly earns enough to buy a decent house?" 2/n

There was an embarrassed silence, as there were a couple of Teachers in the gathering

Someone tried to divert the Topic, but the Guy was undeterred and pushed on

He looked at a lady in mid 40’s, whom he knew slightly as his Sons Teacher from previous years, across the room 3/n

and said in a booming voice,

"Ma’am, You're a Teacher. What or How much do you make?"

What he failed to notice was the serene calmness on her face – and an aura that comes only from years of imparting knowledge 4/n

She was a President’s Award Winner, possessed a reputation for honesty and frankness

"You want to know what I make?”

She paused for a second and then began 5/n

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could

I make a Grade C+ student feel like a JEE Topper

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 min. without a Smart Phone, Gaming Console, Netflix and Fast Food” 6/n

“You want to know what I make? “

She paused again and looked around the Room 7/n

“I make kids wonder, dream

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them show respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I make them possess good value system 8/n

I teach them how 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. 9/n

I make my students whose mother tongues are different to learn everything they need to
know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity, and reminding them to put their mother tongue first 10/n

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, uphold ethics, they can succeed in life” 11/n

She paused one last time and 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. 12/n

You wanted to know what I make

I make a difference to all your lives, educating kids, preparing them to become Businessmen, Doctors, Engineers, Auditors, Nurses, Sportspersons, Researchers, Bankers or someone capable of taking up any job” 13/n

Looking straight into the eyes of the Businessman, she was blunt

“Pray Tell me Sir, What do you make?”

Both looked at each other steadily 14/n

There was pin drop silence with other guests frozen in anticipation, enthralled

Then the Businessman Blinked

He put his hand inside his Jacket, and apparently found some messages on his iPhone that needed his urgent attention 15/n

The room relaxed

The Teacher quietly went back to her food, head held high

PS: This is an adaptation from something I read long ago n/n