Letter to the editor: Our teachers are worth more

I discovered a long time ago that teachers don’t choose their profession for the monetary rewards. They start with grand ambition and much hope to shape our youth to their fullest potential and prepare them for the demands of a productive life in a modern world. They deserve our admiration and respect for even beginning to undertake such a daunting task.

I am deeply troubled when I see the pay rate for substitute teachers is only $100-$120 per day. It takes much debt and sacrifice to obtain a teaching degree, yet some unskilled workers earn way more.

Also, I have noticed some less affluent school districts in this area are outperforming a few wealthier ones. Everyone should be concerned as to how their education dollars are spent. We need to keep quality educators and not worry more about Friday night football scores. There are some instances where the education system is so deficient that high school graduates can’t even make the grade to enter the armed services.

And I believe all schools should have mental health services readily available to prevent tragic situations. Maybe safe zones or an anonymous phone line where students could talk to professionals without fear of judgment, punishment or bullying.

We all need to do our part to stop this disease of hate and violence spreading in our country. It is a terrible legacy to leave our kids.

And, on a final note, China takes great interest in the quality of standards of academic achievement our children or achieve, or the lack of achievement attained.

Lee A. Johnson

Hempfield