What teachers make
Videos featuring performance poet Taylor Mali’s “What does a Teacher make?” have been circulating the Internet world like wildfire – perhaps in no circles more frequently than those made up of teachers or those who love teachers.
Though he now travels widely working as a spoken word and voiceover artist, Mr. Mali previously spent nine years working as a teacher at the middle school, high school and college level, and his brutally honest poem strikes a chord with teachers from all walks of life.
Teaching is not easy
Among other things, the poem highlights two important facts. Firstly, that in the eyes of many, the job of a teacher is undeniably easy. And secondly, that this could hardly be further than the truth.
As Mr. Mali articulates, a teacher plays countless roles in the classroom, each more multifaceted than the next. Grammar, trigonometry and ecology aside, a teacher nurtures, inspires and challenges. He/she teaches a student to think, reflect, criticize, analyze and question.
It may be a job that many think they can do, but that precious few would be able to do well – well enough to make a difference and well enough to make a change.
But it’s worth it
Yes, it is a difficult job – a job that comes with few manuals and even less glory. But it is also a job that can be deeply rewarding and inspiring, particularly when one is driven by a higher purpose. Each day teachers across the nation enter their classrooms with renewed determination and courage, to make a difference and make a change.
And while society might continue to question their worth, these teachers slowly build the blocks that will comprise the future Muslim communities and leave an impact that will touch generations to come.
Thank you Mr. Mali for being brave enough to make a difference and inspiring countless others to do the same.
Have you ever encountered comments about being a teacher like the ones mentioned in the beginning of the video? How would you deal with such a situation?
Watch the video
Videos featuring performance poet Taylor Mali’s “What does a Teacher make?” have been circulating the Internet world like wildfire – perhaps in no circles more frequently than those made up of teachers or those who love teachers.
Though he now travels widely working as a spoken word and voiceover artist, Mr. Mali previously spent nine years working as a teacher at the middle school, high school and college level, and his brutally honest poem strikes a chord with teachers from all walks of life.
Teaching is not easy
Among other things, the poem highlights two important facts. Firstly, that in the eyes of many, the job of a teacher is undeniably easy. And secondly, that this could hardly be further than the truth.
As Mr. Mali articulates, a teacher plays countless roles in the classroom, each more multifaceted than the next. Grammar, trigonometry and ecology aside, a teacher nurtures, inspires and challenges. He/she teaches a student to think, reflect, criticize, analyze and question.
It may be a job that many think they can do, but that precious few would be able to do well – well enough to make a difference and well enough to make a change.
But it’s worth it
Yes, it is a difficult job – a job that comes with few manuals and even less glory. But it is also a job that can be deeply rewarding and inspiring, particularly when one is driven by a higher purpose. Each day teachers across the nation enter their classrooms with renewed determination and courage, to make a difference and make a change.
And while society might continue to question their worth, these teachers slowly build the blocks that will comprise the future Muslim communities and leave an impact that will touch generations to come.
Thank you Mr. Mali for being brave enough to make a difference and inspiring countless others to do the same.
Have you ever encountered comments about being a teacher like the ones mentioned in the beginning of the video? How would you deal with such a situation?
Watch the video
