Teachers' important role requires support

Thank you for acknowledging that teachers are finally making as much as other professionals and sometimes even more.

They are the foundation of our society, so we need to enlist the brightest and the most qualified for one of the toughest jobs in America.

Yes, teachers may only spend 35 contracted hours a week, but do those estimates include all of the grading, parent/teacher conferences, teacher meetings, committee meetings and planning which is probably more like 45-50 hours a week? How many occupations take piles of work and planning home every night?

How many of those other occupations require additional education every year to stay qualified? Teaching has a high rate of "burnout" and so the time they have off is critical.

We expect teachers to teach our children not only the curriculum but also to be worthwhile citizens. I think this is worth more than any other profession, and we should support them by volunteering in the schools, appreciating them in our words, and supporting them through our taxes.

Dawn Heil

Algonquin