Ken Grow misinformed

This is in response to Ken Grow who thinks "Teachers don't have it bad." As a teacher for almost 20 years, I was astonished at the perception this man has of our profession. He claims, "any intelligent adult could teach children at the elementary school level, with or without a degree or training."

I would like to see him in a classroom for just one week. I bet he would sing a different tune after having to plan for eight different subjects, making sure they align with the state standards and at the same time keeping the children's interest and managing the behavior of 20 to 30 very different individuals.

I am not "whining." I just want him to understand that teachers provide more than just a "necessary service," as he put it.

I chose to be a teacher because I knew I could make a difference, and I'm proud of what I do. To be called a "part-time employee" is laughable. Mr. Grow tried to justify teachers' salaries by calculating how much they would make if they worked "full time." Mr. Grow conveniently left out of his calculations the countless overtime hours teachers do not get paid for, the end-of-year bonuses they do not receive and the hundreds of dollars of their own money they spend on their classrooms.

He stated also that "parents, not teachers, set the foundation for their kids." Now if that were true of all parents, our job would be easier. If he were ever to teach, he would learn pretty quickly that this is not the case. Judging by his letter, I don't believe he could even last one day in a classroom. Mr. Grow, before you make comments about a person's profession, you should walk in their shoes. Edie Aitchison Oak Park