What Teachers Make

 

In the poem “What Teachers Make” Taylor Mali talks about how important teachers are for a society and that they deserve more recognition. One night he has dinner with guests and gets mocked by his guests for being a teacher. Instead of starting and argument with them and ruin the dinner he “resist[s] the temptation to remind the dinner guests that it’s also true  what they say about lawyers.”  Then he gets asked “what do [es] [he] make?” He tells his guests how much difference he makes because he “make [s] kids work harder than they ever thought they could.” He goes on to describe a 40 minute study hall lesson in which they have to work in “absolute silence”. Parents tremble when he calls home at around dinner time just to find out that their son had actually done something good for once and reliefs them. He makes them question and criticize everything so that they will be able to have their own opinion and judging skills when they grow up. He ends the argument with saying that “teachers make a goddamn difference! Now what about you?” I like the way he uses parallel structure when he always says “You wanna know what I make?” or “I make them” it makes it easier to memorize what he is talking about and this way he keeps the audience in the palm of his hand.

       As I shuffled into the classroom, I knew that Mr. Van Camp would never believe me. I looked at my scuffed shoes and mumbled, "My homework is not done, Sir. I do have a good excuse though."

       " This is not the first time your homework has not been completed. Perhaps," Mr. Van Camp suggested, "it's time to speak with your parents."

       "Please, you have no idea what will happen to me if you phone my home," I moaned. It looked as if he was going to fall for my story.

      "Well, let's hear your excuse. It better be good."

I sat down on the chair beside Mr. Van Camp and looked him deeply into the eye and I could see his anger and frustration building up. Mr. Van Camp raised one eyebrow waiting for my answer.

I began speaking “You won’t believe me what happened yesterday.”

 There was a break as I trying to find the words to describe what happened.

“I was late, I had to hurry to catch the bus and I didn’t zip my backpack. The paper fell out and luckily however I saw it, but it still got dirty because it fell on the ground.”

I pulled out the dirty sheet of paper but it was also in ripped in pieces.

“I see” started Mr. Van Camp, “but why is it ripped in pieces then?”

“When I got home I started drying it. Î hung it up on a rope. So far so good. My dog, however, decided it would be a good idea to tear it apart.” I stated.

"This is ridiculous. This is one of the oldest and worst excuses that exist"

The Classroom had begun to fill with students that were loud and disruptive.

"Alright," shouted Mr. Van Camp, trying to silence the class, "please be quit. I will start the lesson soon. I'm just having a short conversation with a student here."

His dominant voice instantly silenced the class and the students went to their assigned seat.

Again he looked at me, this time though it was more like a glare because he doesn't believe me.

I continued my story " I already thought you won't believe me, but it is the truth. See, look at the bottom there are dog footprints left." 

I pointed to where there was a slight trace of a footprint left.

It was only light and hard to see. He had to hold it very close to his eyes to actually be able to see it.

"I will let you off this time. But only this time. Remember that." said Mr. Van Camp

With that the conversation was over, he started the english lesson and I got away without my homework.