In praise of the greatest job in the world...

The right book at the right time: an impassioned defense of teachers and why we need them now more than ever.

Teacher turned teacher’s advocate Taylor Mali inspired millions with his original poem “What Teachers Make,” a passionate and unforgettable response to a rich man at a dinner party who sneeringly asked him what teachers make. Mali’s sharp, funny, perceptive look at life in the classroom pays tribute to the joys of teaching…and explains why teachers are so vital to our society.

What Teachers Make is a book that will be treasured and shared by every teacher in America—and everybody who’s ever loved or learned from one. “An inspirational tribute to teaching and learning.”—Booklist

“A valentine to teachers everywhere. Big, bright life lessons in a pocket-sized package.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Straightforward, fast-paced, and trenchant. An evocative, small book bulging with a big idea—to remind teachers that they are dearly loved.”—Publishers Weekly

“I think every teacher will appreciate Mali’s passion for teaching and his insightful wisdom. However, it is a book for all of us—not just teachers.”—Norwood Transcript & Bulletin (Massachusetts)