++++ You're going to get a lot of heat over this but boy did your words make me smile. In fact, I'm going to print that out because the next time I hear a teacher boo-hooing over their poor pitiful life I shall scream.
My neighbor teaches second grade. She's been working for our county for over thirty years, makes 65K a year, gets full health care coverage, a handsome retirement. I don't necessarily begrudge her these things with this service and all, but she boo-hoos everytime I see her about the rigors of her job.
You know what I'm dying to tell her? Good that you asked. I want to say..."Listen, there's a guy who works maintenance for the shopping center I manage. He catches the subway and two buses to get to work. He makes 7.00 an hour. Down the hall is a young girl, divorced and supporting her child, who must drive almost 150 miles ONE WAY to get her kid to childcare and on to work on time. She's in the throes of a divorce and upon her move, there was no childcare available near her new home. She makes 25K a year with ten years service.
There are people working really tough jobs every damn day and the do NOT get three months off a year. Plus snow days. And NOW....freaking sniper days. There's many of us out here who must go to work because the bosses don't want to hear we're talking off for the snow or for fear of the sniper. And don't tell me about preparing lessons, grading tests at night. Plenty of us, and I do mean PLENTY of us who toil well after working time, port work home, and toil on our weekends. Raise yer hand them what only work 40 hours a week.
Sure, teachers work hard and at times have a difficult job. But give me any working stiff in the private industry and I guarantee they're working just as hard. This teacher boo-hooing is nought but PR propaganda spun from the offices of yon teacher's union headquarters that we may all lament the poor teacher and give her more money.
Teachers only work an average of 6 months a year, but get a full years pay for it. They cannot be fired for not teaching, either. Where else in America can you find a job that gives you 6 months off each year and makes that much money? The sad part is - we pay for it.
Don't think the "lazy teacher" argument applies here.