Story on teacher pay was inaccurate

We live in a society where "shock value" sells news so it is easy to understand why a newspaper continues to focus its articles on the negative aspects of public education.

As a teacher I do tire of being portrayed as one involved in a profession littered with criminal offenders or in a profession that does not deserve salaries that are paid. Yet I understand that this is the type of news that attracts readers.

Still I need to make two points.

There are many teachers who work tirelessly to provide a good education to their students. It would be refreshing to see a series of articles that would focus on them.

Second, determining an hourly pay rate demands accuracy. Your reporting implies that prep periods and lunch times are paid free time. In fact prep periods are most often utilized for myriad grading, individual tutoring with students, and communication with parents. Lunch is most often spent at the desk or in the classroom for the same purposes. Additionally your hourly pay rate does not take into account the hours spent after the regular school day is over including weekends working to plan lessons and grade. To classify the teacher work week into 36.5 standard hours is inaccurate. Nor do you factor in the money paid out of pocket during the summertime for continuing education class work that is required for re-certification or the personal money that is used to provide essential classroom materials and supplies for students in districts that simply cannot afford them.

Again, I understand that "shock" sells. Still, let us try to remember that there is always another side to the story.

Gretchen Holly

Mundelein