OT: Teachers' Jobs

[Danemead]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C7210
From: Danemead
Subject: Re: OT: Teachers' Jobs
Reply To: [Yahoo! #7208] Re: OT: US Education (BEWARE--long!)
Date: 8/18/00 5:30 pm  (ET)

>>>Ebony wrote:
I long for the day when teaching is regarded as a respectable
profession,<<<<<

I think teachers are RESPECTED... I long for the day when teachers are
PAID some kind of decent salary. Even the most idealistic and committed
teacher must support themselves and their families, and that is often
impossible unless the teacher has a second job after school. I can't
tell you how many "former teachers" I used to meet at work (electronics
company). They simply HAD to leave the profession or else live in poverty.

I think US teachers today are admired in a kind of awestruck way that
we admire bomb disposal squads. We're highly grateful that someone is
willing to do the job despite the hazards.

PS - rent the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus" starring Richard
Dreyfuss. Absolutely outstanding film about the contribution a caring
teacher can make.