I have had several conversations with my friends lately regarding life after graduation and needless to say, the "s word" came up several times. That's right- salary. Now that we are all looking (both with excitement and dread) towards our impending graduation, we are realizing that, soon enough, we will be off our parents' payroll. For those of us who intend to teach, the situation can seem even more dire; we now are considering what limb we will have to cut off and sell in order to make ends meet. I'm kidding (kind of). These conversations, however, really piqued my interest on what teachers really make, and the list that I came up with extends far past salary.

Teachers make lesson plans with the knowledge that they won't always be able to stick to script.

Teachers make science seem a lot more like magic, thus encouraging interest and love for the subject as a whole.

Teachers make their students learn how to right a clear thesis with supporting evidence.

Teachers make their students learn new vocabulary words and make sure their students know how to spell them, as well.

Teachers make doctors, lawyers, scientists, politicians, more teachers, nurses, public servants, and more honorable professions than are able to be listed here.

Teachers make "hope" a daily reality for all, and they instill their hope in their students.

Teachers make sure that each student feels loved, cared for, and welcome, with the knowledge that this may be the only love some children experience.

Teachers make it possible for society to continue; they are responsible for making the future possible.

Teachers make fun activities happen in their classrooms, even when this fun gets loud and makes the aforementioned teacher question her sanity.

Teachers make it through the weeks right before Christmas break (barely, maybe, but they make it all the same).

Teachers make sure that their students are safe; when they have doubts about this, you can bet that teachers will be the first to advocate for their students.

Teachers make a level playing field for all left in their charge, and they make learning accessible for all students.

Teachers make plans for summer break, but they usually end up working in their classrooms so they can continue to make a difference for their upcoming classes.

Teachers make their classrooms into a safe environment where young minds can flourish, do the unthinkable, and grow with abandon.

Teachers make their students have manners in the classroom. Raising hands is, after all, a resistance against anarchy.

Teachers make their students question their own thinking with the knowledge that this will open their minds and, later, open doors.

Teachers, like all other professionals and all other people, make mistakes, but teachers also make sure that they learn from those mistakes.

Teachers make a lasting impact on the lives of their students, therefore making the otherwise impossible become a reality.

Teachers make sparks in young children's hearts that will ultimately ignite their life and create a flame that, otherwise, would have never seemed in the least bit plausible.

Teachers make the best of what little funds the state gives them, and they often have to make donations from their own pockets to make learning possible.

Teachers make a difference.

I, for one, think that teaching is the most honorable profession out there, and if all was right in the world, teachers would be the most well-paid professionals out there. Though Washington often discounts our teachers and puts education as a whole on the back burner, know that I personally am thankful for all of our educators out there. After all, if not for those teachers who spent hours agonizing over my education and well-being, I would not be able to write these words. So, to all of you teachers out there, thank you, and hang in there in the face of all the holiday excitement/ chaos that is going on in your classrooms. Christmas break is coming soon!