I've Learned...

Written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words.
Andy passed away on November 4, 2011.

 

I've learned ... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

 

I've learned ... That when you're in love, it shows.

 

I've learned ... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

 

I've learned ... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

 

I've learned ... That being kind is more important than being right.

 

I've learned ... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

 

I've learned ... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

 

I've learned ... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

 

I've learned ... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

 

I've learned ... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

 

I've learned ... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

 

I've learned ... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

 

I've learned ... That money doesn't buy class.

 

I've learned ... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

 

I've learned ... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

 

I've learned ... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

 

I've learned ... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

 

I've learned ... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

 

I've learned ... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

 

I've learned ... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

 

I've learned ... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

 

I've learned ... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

 

I've learned ... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

 

I've learned ... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

 

I've learned ... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

 

I've learned ... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

 

I've learned ... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

 

I've learned ... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

 

I've learned ... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

 

I've learned ... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

 

To all of you ... Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence.

 

Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you.

 

YOU ARE MY FRIEND, AND I AM HONORED!

__,_._,___

What a Teacher Makes?

HOW MUCH A TEACHER MAKES
 
Hats off to this (and all the other conscientious teachers like her). However, it would be good to remember that full parental involvement - since day one - in every aspect of a childs education is vital for the childs success. It would be a folly for parents who provide less than their share of responsibilities expecting all teachers to be as conscientious as this teacher in preparing a child to meet lifes challenges.  

 

TEACHERS WOW!!
 
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, Barbara. Be honest. What do you make?"
 
Barbara, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and 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 maths. 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.
 
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 (Barbara 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.