Take a closer look at life of a teacher

Sharon Klay was right on when she suggested that the Herald follow the life of a teacher. It would be great for Daily Herald readers to see the hours of time both in and out of the school building spent planning, prepping, grading papers, analyzing testing results, meeting with support programs and participating in professional development.

It may also show the hours spent each week in graduate school classes (in most cases, required by their employment contract) or working toward national board certification.

More importantly, it will show the emotional connection that develops between teachers and students.

Having spent 11 years in the classroom before choosing to stay home with my young children, I have walked in their shoes. I know how much time it takes to do the job of teaching well, and how emotionally exhausted I was from worrying about the students.

There is an assumption that one school day is the equivalent of a day in office or other place of business. He is under the misconception that his "230-plus days" of work each year is more hours than a teacher works during the 180 day school year. That assumes that teachers are working an 8 hour day and nothing else. I kept track in one of my years of teaching and I averaged 60 hours a week.

Using that number, a teacher's "180 days worked annually" equates to 2,160 work hours a year. If the writer works an 8 hour day, that equals 1,840 work hours a year.

Even with a little wiggle room for either person, the argument for who works more hours doesn't fly.

So Daily Herald, do the series on teachers. Follow teachers at all levels for a whole school year. Paint a complete picture and help open your readers eyes to what they don't want to see.

Kim Murray

Arlington Heights