| Millions of youngsters are now back in school all | | | | real teachers understand the burden that they |
| across the USA. And, greeting them with open | | | | have inspiring learning. |
| arms are millions of teachers, poised ready for | | | | With all that responsibility as well as the magnitude |
| another season of academia. I thought a round of | | | | of what they do, how well are teachers |
| applause and appreciation for our educators would | | | | compensated? Ever since I found out the general |
| be a nice gesture. | | | | salary of teachers, I was disgusted. I have felt |
| I know a few teachers. My daughter and | | | | for so many years these wonderful hard working |
| son-in-law are both teachers. My son, while still in | | | | dedicated people are paid so very little for what |
| the process of getting his PHD is also teaching this | | | | they are responsible to do. |
| fall. I also have a few friends, including my | | | | Again, from the U.S. Department of Education |
| neighbor, Len who are teachers. | | | | statistics, I found that the average salary for |
| Looking at some statistics from the U.S. | | | | public school teachers in 2008-09 was $53,910, |
| Department of Education, I found that around 3.7 | | | | about 2 percent higher than in 1998-99, after |
| million full-time-equivalent (FTE) elementary and | | | | adjustment for inflation. The salaries of public |
| secondary school teachers were engaged in | | | | school teachers have generally maintained pace |
| classroom instruction in the fall of 2009. This | | | | with inflation since 1990-91. The annual salary for |
| number has risen 12 percent since 1999. The | | | | a first year teacher is somewhere around |
| 2009 projected number of FTE teachers includes | | | | $27,000. |
| 3.2 million public school teachers and a half million | | | | These figures of course are average. Many, many |
| private school teachers. | | | | teachers make less. I have always thought that |
| I have always thought that teachers carry an | | | | our teachers should be compensated a lot more. |
| incredible responsibility. Their task is to present | | | | As the new school year begins, here in the USA |
| information in the best way possible in order to | | | | we face some very serious economic situations. |
| educate our young people. In our modern fast | | | | Many state workers have been given mandatory |
| paced, high tech world, a quality education is | | | | days off without pay. While the Federal |
| critical. | | | | Government seems to be spending billions of |
| While I have never been employed as a school | | | | dollars that are not there, local governments are |
| teacher, I have been teaching the Bible since 1976 | | | | cutting costs wherever they can. |
| in various settings. I have taught groups ranging in | | | | I pray that we don't cut any teachers or their |
| size from a handful to hundreds. I love to teach. | | | | salaries any more than the cuts that have already |
| I know what preparation is required to be able to | | | | taken place. Our children are too important; they |
| present information clearly so that it can be | | | | represent the future of our country. Our teachers |
| understood. I once heard a phrase that has stuck | | | | play a very critical role for our country in the |
| with me for years, "The aim of all education is | | | | years ahead. |
| action. Head knowledge is great, but can you | | | | Finally, how about providing some additional |
| apply it in your life?" | | | | assistance and blessing? I would say this |
| So, I applaud our teachers for their commitment | | | | regardless of whether I had family and friends as |
| and their dedication. They are instrumental in | | | | teachers. But why not look for some way to do |
| bringing enlightened understanding to | | | | something nice for a teacher? |
| impressionable young minds. They also carry a | | | | You could give them some extra cash, or tickets |
| great responsibility for their actions and perhaps | | | | to the movie. You could offer to take them |
| that is why when a teacher does wrong, there is | | | | dinner or bring them a box of cookies. Showing a |
| a great outcry. | | | | little gratitude for what they do would be most |
| But in any field, our focus should not be on the | | | | appreciated. |
| very few who do wrong, but rather on the many | | | | The bell is about to ring. The halls are full of fresh |
| teachers who, day after day, do their best to | | | | empty heads. It's time once again for class to |
| educate. Many realize that parents have entrusted | | | | begin. |
| them with their child for eight hours a day. The | | | | |