Dear Editor,
When I read the article in the paper concerning the Fairbanks schools, I was furious and sad at the same time. Therefore, I can stay silent no longer.
The article gave the impression that the raises to the teachers (2% this year, 1.5% next year and 1% the next year) was a win-win situation, although I cannot imagine who this was referring to.
Our teachers have in their charge, every day, the future of this country. Yet their pay does not reflect their importance to this future.
According to the Center on Wage Employment Dynamics, The Economic Policy Institute and CNBC, teachers make approximately 20% less than other college graduates.
Up to a quarter of teachers leave the profession every year and about 20% must resort to second jobs.
We have been upping the responsibilities, the expectations and the demands on teachers that are not comparable with wages at all.
Some would argue that they do not work all year. According to the National Education Association, the average teacher works 50 hours per week during the school year. The average American puts in 34.5 hours per week. Do the math.
If this country wants to remain one of the world’s top leaders we need the best trained, best informed, and best thinkers to compete in our ever changing world society.
And this begins from day one of grade one with the very best teachers we can assemble.
Kathleen Whited
Buerger Street