by Prentiss Whitley

Created on: February 22, 2011

About two months ago I ran across a study completed by the National Bureau of Economic Research. In their study they essentially discovered that good teachers with twenty or more students are worth over $400,000 annually. That is about ten times my current salary. I shared this study with some of my peers. To my surprise a number of them doubted the study, and subsequently our worth as teachers. I feel sorry for them. Their mentality is sadly endemic of our society as a whole. Since facts, figures, and numbers make most eyes glaze over, I will speak as plainly as possible about what this entire world owes to teachers.

Teachers are the most important people on the planet. Other professions don't even come close. In fact, we make all other professions possible. We shape the world. I dare anyone to prove me wrong. It’s shameful that something like this even needs to be discussed.

We make your bankers. You know those mega millionaire geniuses who were deft enough to con most of America into giving them money. Their greed ruined the world. In their ever-evil quest for profits, some of them outsmarted themselves. On second thought, maybe we taught them too well...

We teach your lawyers.  Attorneys have an awesome responsibility. In the case of trial lawyers, they hold the fate of actual human beings in their hands everyday. In other matters they determine trillions of dollars in various issues, which directly and indirectly affect millions of other souls. What quality of teacher would you be comfortable with instructing your future counsel? Before you answer, remember: a good percentage of these lawyers go on to become judges, a few even make the Supreme Court.While we are in the courtrooms it would be negligent of me not to mention we also teach every person who has ever been part of a jury. These ordinary citizens are charged with objectively analyzing evidence and rendering a level head, intelligent decision that will never happen without us. Hopefully you will never get forced into a trail by jury, but if that happens...do you want a competent or crackpot dozen deciding your life/assets?

Doctors don't exist without us; nurses neither. You can also kiss the directors, executives, and administrators goodbye too (which does not actually sound like a bad idea). Virtually everyone interacts with health care professionals sometime down the line. Our lives literally depend on these guys.

Are we beginning to get the point here?

Last, and most importantly,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>