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I agree that good teachers do spend a lot of discretionary time on additional work. I'd like to point out that good professionals of any ilk spend a lot of discretionary time on additional work, whether that be continuing education, additional certifications, just plain keeping up with the next thing. I'm a network engineer - I'm paid approximately the same thing as a teacher, my benefits package is dependent upon the job and varies considerably, I must constantly read and study to stay up to date (or be unemployable) and my work requires long hours, not my option, if it breaks and its critical, I crawl out of bed and fix it. I might get a pat on the back, but I don't get additional compensation. All of that is part of doing the job (which I love) well. I know my family gets tired of seeing me with my nose in a CISCO manual.

I am not putting down teachers here. My children both spent time in public schools. The quality of the teachers who instructed them varied from abysmal to very good and one per child that was outstanding. Given the importance of the job, it is not so much about the dollars as about how to find teachers who love their work and do it well. More dollars is NOT an automatic fix.

Excellent response! Yes, professionals put in extra hours, even if it is to keep caught up. I do think that some teachers hurt themselves by insisting that they get paid for all this. Professionals just do that. I also think that teachers get paid too much in some areas (relative to what other similary paid professionals get paid) and not enough in others.

This is the second thread in several days where people who do not know what they are talking about but think they do just criticize teachers. It drives me crazy. I'm the first to criticize them when I see issues that they need called on. But there has just been this oft-spoken belief that teachers only work the hours they are in front of a classroom and nothing could be further from the truth for most teachers.