Do teachers deserve all the ill-will?

In reading the May 11 Fence Post letter regarding teachers pensions, I found I also read with considerable amusement, especially in light of so many “myth-conceptions,” regarding teachers and education in general:

Myth No. 1: Teachers do not contribute to their own retirement. It is the taxpayers burden.

Myth No. 2: Teachers only work nine months out of 12 with three months vacation.

Myth No. 3: Teachers get social security while working their nine months

Myth No. 4: Teachers receive paid holidays

Myth No. 5: Teachers are lazy. (If teachers can do their job in nine months and do it very well, that is not lazy, that is good.)

Having been a teacher since 1975 and now an adjunct faculty instructor at Waubonsee Community College, I have often had to moonlight second and third jobs to make ends meet. My husband and I have lost our positions three times each since 1975 as our programs in music and art have been dropped.

I have known others who have lost not only positions, but homes and, yes, health insurance. Many adjunct instructors across the nation are face to face with poverty, and depend on state aid for medical care.

Future teaching positions at the college level may all become part time, putting at risk full time programs for students and teachers alike. This would allow colleges to free themselves of the burden of paying high salaries for full timers and the relief of not providing insurance benefits to any.

Education affords all a most privileged and precious gift; that of knowledge and wisdom which cannot be repossessed as one would a car.

Please stop to think before foaming at the mouth about that which is more than mere pension. Think also again before putting such ill-will toward teachers into play.

Cherie Matousek

Naperville