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Today's teacher not only faces poverty but also violence in the classroom; besides that, teachers must complete piles of paperwork and motivate disrepectful students. Teachers should be given medals for what they face day-to-day!

A teacher is a dedicated, overworked advocate of children. They should be respected and lauded for staying in the teaching field which does not recognize them for what they truly are: unsung heroes. Teachers are capable of earning twice what they make in the classroon. As a retired teacher, I was lured from my teaching job into one of America's top corporations. All they did was double my salary and give me a title. I thought that was the most exciting offer I had ever had. WRONG! After a few years with corporate America, I returned to my precious students. I hated the "politics" of dealing with the "coats" as we called them.

A teacher lives for the adoration of her flock. I never felt worthy or useful as a corporate type. In the classroom, my self-image turned to higher standards; even when children are mean-spirited, they realize a teacher loves them and is looking out for their well-being...at least that is the way it used to be in the teaching field. Today's teachers have a much more difficult job. Undermined by administrators and state policies, teachers face disrepect and violence on a daily basis.

A teacher is a warrior who carries her students through the muck of today's rules and regulations. Policies today do not allow a teacher to hug or give a touch of approval or love. Students today can call a teacher a liar and bring her/him before a group of other students to demean a teacher or write him/her up for showing favoritism or racism. Students can bring witnesses/parents/administrato rs to a board against a teacher, but a teacher is allowed one voice unless someone else happends to see the incident in class (but most students won't RAT on another student). A teacher has lots of armor, but many times the enemies are too many.

A teacher is practically on welfare, especially if he/she is not married. Most teachers do not qualify for homeowner's loans. Most do not own luxury cars or clothes. If other teachers are like me, I spent a lot of my own money on my classroom and my students because the education system is so poor it couldn't afford the things I needed to teach my kids. America should be ashamed of itself for letting our teachers remain the most underpaid field in jobs. I think the pay is way under the risks and time spent on the job.

Teachers are overworked. Once a teacher goes home, his work is never done. There are papers to grade and then record; there are computer programs to learn, certifications to keep up to date, classrooms to decorate (when do you think that happens?) and many other chores. I had to attend all football games. Can you imagine that? We had to show loyalty to our school and community by attending all our games. Actually, we had to "work" the games by selling snacks, monitoring the restrooms, and patrolling the bleachers...and we never got paid for those hours, either.

Teachers determine our future. They guide our children in their learning, their attitudes, and their careers. We should be thankful that terrorists don't take these underpaid jobs so they can corrupt the minds of our offspring. Let's give teachers what they deserve: respect, honor, and higher pay.

Learn more about this author, Ann Palmieri.
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