What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World

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What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World

4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 · rating details · 325 ratings · 77 reviews

Former middle-school teacher and teachers' advocate Taylor Mali struck a chord with his passionate response to a man at a dinner party who asked him what kind of salary teachers make—a poetic rant that has been seen and forwarded millions of times on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.Based on the poem that inspired a movement, What Teachers Make is Mali's sharp, funny, reflec...more

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Published March 29th 2012 by Tantor Media (first published January 1st 2012)

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Apr 21, 2012 Tatiana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: education, memoir

What Teachers Make is similiar to many teacher memoirs, except that it isn’t. Even though former classroom teacher and poet, author Taylor Mali, doesn’t exactly ignore the problems with the educational system in America, he also doesn’t dwell on issues not soon resolved. In both his poem, “What Teachers Make,” and in this novel, he instead chooses to focus on the lost art of respecting teachers and the job they do every day.

I don’t have my license yet (though I spend tons of time in classrooms)...more

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Nov 24, 2011 Paul Hankins marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS ONE. Available in March 2012, but I knew my teacher friends would want to see this right away. Adding to list now. . .

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May 06, 2013 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book deserves 5 stars for the poem that kicks off the book and 3 stars for the rest of it. If nothing else, read the poem "What Teacher's Make" by Taylor Mali online...now. Then watch him perform it on YouTube. Now. I will wait for you.

If you're as in love with Taylor Mali as I was once you're done watching him perform his poetry life, then snag this book from your local library. And then buy it (used) and give it to every teach you know. Teacher Appreciation Week is happening RIGHT NOW (as...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Cassy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-in-2012, favorites, non-fiction

This book was written in response to a lawyer who, unsurprisingly these days, had nothing good to say about teachers. And Mali overheard him and a poem resulted from it called "What Teachers Make." Now, in the original confrontation, Mali didn't say anything, but the next day, he wrote the poem, which got a HUGE amount of recognition over the years.

I actually really enjoyed this book. Mali talked about his experiences as a teacher. He talked about how the greatest moments weren't because of what...more This book was written in response to a lawyer who, unsurprisingly these days, had nothing good to say about teachers. And Mali overheard him and a poem resulted from it called "What Teachers Make." Now, in the original confrontation, Mali didn't say anything, but the next day, he wrote the poem, which got a HUGE amount of recognition over the years.

I actually really enjoyed this book. Mali talked about his experiences as a teacher. He talked about how the greatest moments weren't because of what he got paid but were because of what he experience because of his students. There were more than a few moments that cracked me up (he was teaching a student about Zero Property and when the student understood it, told Mali, and anyone else who would listen, "this changes everything.")

He also told some incredibly touching stories. While working at an all boys school, he had a 12 year old student that had cancer. The boy was coming back to school for the first time in weeks and the other 12 boys in the class were warned he would be frail and bald. There were 13 boys in that class the next day that were bald and in a school uniform.

Mali is obvious a big supporter of teachers. He tells the awful truth that I, having been friends/roommates with a teacher for years, have known about teachers. They are labeled as lazy and the enemy but really, they work harder than any other profession that I know. They're underpaid and under-appreciated and usually leave the profession within the first five years of teaching. It's not because teachers don't love their students or because they don't love to teach. It's because they're often not even paid enough to live on and they have to take second jobs just to pay their mortgages.

There are a few things that really bothered me about Mali. While he is a teacher, he gets on his soapbox about how we should be paying teachers who work in inner-city the most money, but he has worked, and was raised, almost entirely in the private sector. It's a side that tends to not only pay more, but have lots more resources.

Also, he talks of teachers leaving the profession and how he wants to prevent them from doing that, but that's what he did himself. He left the teaching profession to write poetry full time. So while he's sitting here, preaching about the fact that he wants to bring new teachers into the fold (apparently, he started a project and has inspired 1000 people into the teaching profession), he left the profession to go do something that he has always wanted to do (he majored in it in both undergrad and originally in grad school.)

But I suppose you can't look a gift horse in the mouth and he is still out there, trying to bring about change for teachers. And he's a former teacher doing it, so he at least knows what he's talking about. He knows the kind of days they have to put up with (he says usually a 14 hour day, minimum and I believe it) and the kind of bureaucracy they deal with and if that weren't enough, most of our country views them as thieves, greedy and lazy, which I just don't abide by.

Honestly, I just loved the book and, if you're a teacher, I think you're going to love it more than I do. I think you're really going to appreciate the things he says and I think you'll really be able to relate to it. If you're not... I think it gives you a really great perspective on what teachers DO, and for that reason you should read it.(less)

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Oct 06, 2012 Jessie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Yesterday I missed school to attend a workshop for teachers. I have to admit that I was the most excited to listen to the visiting authors, however, I did get some good strategies from the breakout sessions. One of the authors who spoke was Taylor Mali. I bought the only book they had for us at the conference. I thought that I was buying a poetry book, since he was known for his poetry, so I was surprised when I looked inside and found a regular book.
Some of the chapters tell the stories behi...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Kristin rated it 3 of 5 stars

As a high school English teacher, I am always a fan of books that promote teaching and encourage us to take a fresh look at one of the most influential and important positions in America. I was thrilled after glancing at Taylor Mali's book, and while I was excited to read it at the beginning, by the end, I was fairly disappointed.
Mali has a strong introduction, explaining how the poem which shares the same title as the book, came about, and how his career evolved as a result of this poem (he no...more As a high school English teacher, I am always a fan of books that promote teaching and encourage us to take a fresh look at one of the most influential and important positions in America. I was thrilled after glancing at Taylor Mali's book, and while I was excited to read it at the beginning, by the end, I was fairly disappointed.
Mali has a strong introduction, explaining how the poem which shares the same title as the book, came about, and how his career evolved as a result of this poem (he no longer is a classroom teacher, but instead, travels the world teaching poetry to students and teachers alike). Quickly, however, Mali begins focusing on short anecdotes intended to highlight the demands, intrinsic rewards and sheer joy of teaching, as seen through his own experience. I enjoyed this at first, but it soon began to feel very self-promoting and repetitive (Mali includes much of his own poetry and shares stories which are intended to highlight his academic genius).
Mali has great voice, but unfortunately, his time outside of the classroom shows. So much has changed since he was a teacher in the '90s that the book seems out of date and out of touch (Mali devotes a chapter to the genius behind creating a computer-based grade book - something that is fairly standard in most districts across the nation). Furthermore, with shifts toward common core, standardized testing, differentiated instruction, and sound grading practices, Mali's work seems a bit too idealistic to be a truly enjoyable read (for example, Mali goes into great detail about his favorite assignment - having students create a Roman-style shield that was impenetrable against a sword - and freely admits that the grade was based on artistic style and strength and had little to no curricular benefit - something which would not tie in nicely to a curriculum that is intended to blend fun and learning).
While I really wanted to like this book (and was thinking it would be a great gift to give to students who dream of being teachers), this book is out of touch with the reality of teaching today. Mali who hasn't been in a classroom since cell-phones invaded has a few really good suggestions and heartfelt stories, but this is not all that it could have been. From shelfishness.blog.com(less)

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Jul 24, 2012 Jan Priddy rated it 5 of 5 stars

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE: IN PRAISE OF THE GREATEST JOB IN THE WORLD by Taylor Mali (2012) “is a valentine to teachers everywhere” according to Kirkus Reviews. I loved it almost as much as I loved seeing his video poem on YouTube for the first time years ago, “What Teachers Make” [Google it]. He seems to have accumulated the wisdom I have won over decades of teaching, and here is my quibble—with nine years of teaching in private schools, he’s now free-lancing. And there’s an irony in the fact that the...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Ellie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-individualchallenge, education, non-fiction, new-york

What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World by Taylor Mali is a very comforting book to read if you are a teacher (if you're not a teacher, you probably won't read it, which is a shame). In a series of vignettes, Mali depicts some of the challenges and rewards of teaching. Like parenthood, with even less narcissistic gratification, teaching is a career that no one would choose looking simply at a cost/benefits analysis. It is a vocation in which the many hours of drudgery are...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Kayla rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"[I make a goddamn difference.] Now what about you?" - Taylor Mali, What Teachers Make

I think I'll come back to this book often to remind me of the importance of my struggles in the field of education. With all of the teacher hate that often happens during a time of economic turmoil, an advocate and teacher enthusiast like Taylor Mali is much appreciated. I have listened to Taylor Mali's poem, "What Teachers Make" thanks to TED, and I will admit that reading the poem choked me up just as Mali's...more

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Apr 18, 2012 M rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Mali really excels at the short essay. Quips and anecdotes from his teaching days and other times with poems interspersed throughout. I don't know how many people need to be reminded that teaching is important, and yes there are awful teachers, but there are incredibly wonderful teachers. Mali delves into what teachers make besides money, why they do it, his most rewarding experiences, and the problems facing teachers these days. His analysis that anyone who thinks teachers are greedy and use th...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Claudia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-book-challenge-150, professional-reading

Whenever I feel especially frustrated and depressed about the state of education, I pull up Taylor Mali's youtube performance of this poem. I watch his fierceness and I feel better. So, I was thrilled to find this book, and wallowed in the deliciousness for a couple of days. I found lines and pages and poems that made me so grateful to have chosen this profession...or to have been chosen by this profession.

I have seen Mali perform this poem at the SOS Rally in DC...I told people who were all ago...more

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May 23, 2012 Sherry rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2012

I loved this book!

Taylor Mali wrote the poem What Teachers Make after a party where he was at where a lawyer was putting down teachers. He vented his frustrations and performed the poem at a poetry slam. From there it just spread. He started doing presentations and eventually wrote this book.

There are lots of parts of this book that I really liked. I really like his explanation for when a kid asks,""When are we ever going to need this in real life?" the answer is not what they expect: never.
"Th...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've loved Taylor Mali's poetry for years so I was delighted to find that this book is organized around the structure of his poem "What Teachers Make" - and the prose that go along with each section are just as full of his voice as his verse. I received my copy as a gift. I think I will need to pay such kindness forward and get a copy to give to someone else. :)

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Mar 15, 2012 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction, arcs, favorites

On New Year's Eve of 1997 Taylor Mali attended a dinner party where one of the guests, a young, arrogant lawyer, made it clear his opinion about the teaching profession: one must be of impaired intelligence to choose a career that paid so little money and earned such little respect.

While Mali could not find the proper words to put the man in his place on that particular night, his anger at that encounter resulted in one of the most famous diatribes to ever come out of the teaching profession.

Tod...more On New Year's Eve of 1997 Taylor Mali attended a dinner party where one of the guests, a young, arrogant lawyer, made it clear his opinion about the teaching profession: one must be of impaired intelligence to choose a career that paid so little money and earned such little respect.

While Mali could not find the proper words to put the man in his place on that particular night, his anger at that encounter resulted in one of the most famous diatribes to ever come out of the teaching profession.

Today, Mali writes this memoir and series of essays as not only a tribute to the teaching profession, but also as a way to explain everything that he inspired him to write that poem. The encounter with the lawyer was the impetus for writing the poem, but he also goes on to explain all of the other stanzas that he wrote as a result of the lawyer that fueled his ire.

But Mali wants to do more than just explain his motivations for writing a poem in this book. He wrote it as a tribute to teachers. In a society that has pegged us as greedy and lazy, Mali asks that we take a step back and look at what teachers sacrifice for the sake of their students. He logically and thoughtfully reminds us of the very things that teachers have been saying for years: in a country of extreme greed and brazen excess, the people who give of themselves the most are the ones who are being attacked. How is that justice?

The purpose of this book, as Mali states in the introduction is, "Someone needs to remind teachers that they are dearly loved. I'm that guy."

This book, however, isn't just a stating of the obvious injustices of how teachers are treated today, but it's also a celebration of small victories and the little moments in our classrooms that so often make us laugh or cry. Mali taught in classrooms for nine years and then left to pursue a career as a full-time poet (who does that in this day and age?) and advocate for the teaching profession. But from reading this book, you quickly realize that the classroom lost a wonderful teacher. Not only is his wisdom easily apparent, but you quickly begin to wish your own children could have him as their teacher.

This book is the perfect gift for any teacher, but as it is preaching to the choir, a better choice would be for a person in need of some enlightenment about how hard teachers work.(less)

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Apr 15, 2012 Dray rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: absolute-favorites, funny, teaching, well-that-hit-home

Taylor Mali is a warrior for teachers. I watch his "What Teachers Make" poem at least once a month for inspiration when I'm feeling defeated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK...

This little book says so much of what teachers actually make. Some of the stories had me laughing out loud and some had me emotional. Although I've decided that teachers have a different sense of humor than everyone else. At my school, all someone has to do is mention "HoneyBun Boy" during lunch and the whole lounge...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Colleen Wainwright rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: creativity, essays, communication, nonfiction

Given the small size and the title (for Mali's rightfully famous poem of the same name), I feared this might be a throwaway or worse, an opportunistic grab at the friends-and-families-of-teachers market. (And it's not completely cynicism: the endpaper has a "To:/From" inscription, outlined by the slogan "Teachers Make a Difference"; I would not be surprised if publication date coincided with Teacher Appreciation Day.)

Never mind all that. This is a lovely book full of wonderful stories that remin...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Ron Ratchford rated it 4 of 5 stars

A very little book that challenges the reader with a basic small question. What Do Teathers Make?

The answer is both simple and profound. The teacher makes all the difference in the world.
And leads to the next question. What is all the difference in the world?

His small book reminds me of Abe Lincoln's comment to Harriet Beecher Stowe.
(I paraphase) So this is the little lady that has causes all this. You get the idea.

Mr Mali! So this is the little teacher that changed the way our children will be...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Madeline Krisko rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

All current teachers, past teachers, prospective teachers, parents who have kids who have teachers, or anybody who has ever had a teacher should read this book. Mali celebrates the teaching profession without sugarcoating it; he really discusses what makes it great, but also what needs to be improved to continue this greatness. I loved Mali from his poems, which are scattered throughout the book (and the stories behind some poems told), but this gave me a much better appreciation for his work. I...more

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May 12, 2012 Paul Hankins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: friends-in-the-business, march-2012-reads, mr-hankins-says-don-t-miss, psychology-self-help-classroom-appl, professional-thought-leader, professional-text-teaching, poetry-celebration-of-teachers, taylor-mali-title, celebration-of-teaching-teachers

Whether it's sharing about the time a Steinway floated outside of his classroom window on a April morning, the time a group of boys shaved their heads in solidarity for another suffering from cancer, or describing the medieval sword project (wherein points were taken off if they could not withstand the "smack" and "poke" test, Taylor Mali has created a book that has come at the right time for the right group of people.

An extended love letter to the practice of teaching and to those who have answ...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Zafirah Ab Rahim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: teaching-advocates

Taylor Mali's poem, What Teachers Make, is the lead song in the soundtrack that is a teacher's life. In this book, he deconstructs his poem by sharing with his readers his personal memories and experiences as a teacher as well as anecdotes that show just how much he advocates the teaching profession. I especially love the last few chapters where he shared his insights on the changes that could be made to the education system to not only facilitate teachers but also enable students to have a more...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Mickey rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had not heard of Mali's poem "What Teachers Make" before I picked up this book. There's been a steady stream of books written by teachers about their profession. Some are how-to books (like Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56), some are humorous, anecdotal send-ups (like 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching), others show a more problematic reality of public schools (like Educating ESME: Diary of a Teacher's First Year). Some are bi...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Kylie rated it 5 of 5 stars

As a future teacher, I look towards the positive teacher accounts. Taylor Mali's poems have always been a strong force that seem very real, and not setting teaching up to be an idealistic or negative lifestyle. I aspire to keep such a positivity towards teaching my entire life like Mali, though sticking with the career, because my public speaking and poem writing skills are sub par. I have a few heros I would like to meet and the world of educators, and Taylor Mali is near the top of the list. T...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Iowa Girl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Poet, Teacher, Radical Passionaire of what is important...Taylor Mali writes a simple (kind of) book about what a teacher really makes...you'll get it when you read it. all this in response to some smartass young lawyer party comment which made very clear to Mr. Mali that teachers don't make money so what's the point. Really, what is the point? As in poetry slams, the points are not the point, the poem is the point. And, as in teaching, the point is not the bucks the point is the human potential...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Angel B rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-teaching, adult, nonfiction, bookadaysummer2012

I read this book looking for some motivation for the upcoming school year. There were some good, uplifting stories here, but there were also a lot of stories that made me think, sorry Bud, but you're experience is clearly very different from mine. If I tried to do some of the things he did in his classroom (one example, no one leaves for the bathroom EVER), I would have a big hairy situation on my hands. But of course, I teach nine and ten year olds : )

Overall a good book and a quick read.

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May 09, 2012 Brandon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An affirmation of the genuine and sincere hard work that we teachers do day in and day out. Mr. Mali's experiences resonate with us and his advocacy for us is greatly appreciated -- so much so that he deserves a big hug back from those of us who feel so downtrodden in atmospheres of low morale, pressures to succeed in test scores, lack of support from administration/department heads, and constant conflict from adversaries. Essential reading for Reasonable Teachers.

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Feb 20, 2013 Brenna Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this because I loved the poem Mr. Mali wrote about what teachers make. I used some of his words in class today and told my kids to not bring anything other than their best to my classroom because I bring my best to my classroom each day. I have exacting standards for my students and love, love, love them; however, I work them by making them read, write, and think. I love what I do, and this book tells a little bit of why.

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May 11, 2012 Mary Kenyon rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was written because the author didn't have a quick response to a snarky lawyer at a Happy Hour when the author was asked "what he makes". If you have any teachers in your family you know the value of their work even though they don't produce a "product" or a service they charge by the hour. Buy the book, read it and then gift it to a teacher. I highly recommend this book.

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Jun 07, 2013 Audrey marked it as to-read

Mali's Poems move me to tears and laughter, sometimes simultaneously, and he gets right to my soul with the conviction of his words. However, teaching has really moved beyond the view that Mali presents in his essays, so he loses some of his effectiveness through his outdated observations. Still, everyone should go watch him perform the title poem. It's worth a listen or two.

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Jun 04, 2013 Jen Jondac rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing. Mali's passion for his work is evident in "What Teachers Make." This book provides an eloquent view into the world of a teacher. I cried while reading Mali's memories of bulling and again during a poem. Intense emotion balances with objective views throughout the book. Definitely worth the short amount of time it takes to read it.

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Feb 21, 2013 Jen Ferguson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love the poem that starts this book. It is the coolest comeback to any profession about how cool being a teacher is. It reminds me of the opportunity I am given daily to touch lives.

I love Mali's praise for teachers and the profession along with the personal insight he offers from his own teaching days.

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About Taylor Mali

Taylor Mali is a former teacher and classically trained actor who now makes his living as a professional poet. One of the original poets to appear on the HBO series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry, he is a veteran of the poetry slam and the author of What Learning Leaves and several spoken word CDs and DVDs. He lives and writes in New York City. For more information, visit www.taylormali.com"

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