Teachers could make more in private sector

After the steam left my ears, I was able to respond to Mr. Miller's letter. Either he does not have teachers in his family, or he wanted to be a teacher and could not make it. Teachers pay for their own education, Mr. Miller, and are usually sitting in classrooms while people assume that they have three months to vacation.

I have a master's plus 36 hours and I am the norm, not the exception. College and high school teachers spend many hours preparing lessons and grading papers. Many spend time after school helping children who have trouble. Theirs has never been an 8 to 3 job. Elementary teachers spend hours after school and every evening preparing science, social studies, reading and math lessons for the next day - lessons that will be understood by the slower learners and create a challenge for those who are advanced in those skills. Throw in a many live wires that needed to be grounded, children who need to be encouraged and motivated to learn, and you have a teacher wondering if she will get to the washroom before her bladder bursts.

Mr. Miller, you may find this hard to believe, but the majority of teachers whatever level they chose are working extremely hard.

If you do not believe me I urge you to go to your local elementary school and spend a day or two.

Teachers tend to be more fiscally conservative which is probably why we chose to put more of our salary away than those of you on social security.

I have a great education. I could have made tons of money in the private sector, but I chose to teach simply because as most teachers do I love learning and wanted to impart that love of learning to children.

Susan Merle Hoerauf

Prospect Heights