Teaching is a job, not a hobby

This is in response to the letter from Cindy Garcia regarding teachers putting kids first over money, published Oct. 12.

She is actually proposing teaching should be a hobby, instead of a profession. Unfortunately, that won't work for several reasons.

First of all, teachers are required by to have a certain level of education, certification, and continuing education, none of which is free.

Secondly, teachers have to live somewhere (which is not free), so they need to make a living, have insurance, and eventually retire. Teaching requires at least eight hours a day, so there is no opportunity to get a paying job to cover these expenses.

Some other questions to consider. Should doctors work for free because they love patients? Should police work for free just because they want to keep citizens safe?

And, maybe the question should be directed at the administration. If they (and the community) cared about kids, wouldn't they want to make sure they compensated teachers fairly?

Sheridan Daniel

Wheaton