Letter defended regarding teachers





I am amazed by the reaction to my letter in the Nov. 23
Acorn
regarding complaining teachers. Talk about hitting a raw nerve.

There have been about a dozen published responses to my comments, all but two of which were highly critical. Fair enough, as it was my intention to be provocative. But these respondents, in defending themselves, only prove and fortify my point of view.

In every letter criticizing me, not one teacher said how fortunate he or she is to be working in one of the best school districts in the country with some of the finest students and families to be found anywhere. No one talked about how wonderful it is to have job security, medical and dental benefits, a generous pension plan with opportunity for early retirement and enough time off in a year that some people don’t get in a decade.

Instead, they complain about low salaries, long hours, squirming kids, annoying parents and a lack of appreciation. Good grief, some of them sound as if they’re slave laborers. People who portray themselves as victims are not very attractive.

One reader said my criticism is an “assault on
teachers.” In fact, I respect and admire anyone, including a teacher, who is
passionate and cares about the quality of his or her work. Each person should be
judged on individual merit. It is not teachers, but the pomposity of the
teaching profession and its leadership to which I object.
Ken Grow Thousand Oaks




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