TEACHERS HERE ARE DEDICATED, CARING

I am continually amazed at the amount of space given by the Southeast Missourian to criticize the Cape Girardeau public schools, teachers, the teaching profession and public education in general. The April 25 article "Some big apples for teachers, thanks to NEA" talks of "teachers' unions, teachers paid $80,000 -- not counting benefits, average salaries of $38,000, two month's vacation and benefits that far exceed the average worker." This article certainly places teachers in a category of "having advantages unknown to the private sector," but nothing could be farther from the truth in Cape Girardeau. In fact, none of these statements is true in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area. Was the article's appearance on the opinion page presented to make local teachers seem to be only self-serving and grossly overpaid? If this was the intent, I take exception. If this was not the intent, what possible good is gained by showing teachers in such a negative light?

There is no "teachers' union" in Cape Girardeau. In fact, only a handful of the teachers here are members of the National Education Association. The predominant teachers organization, Missouri State Teachers Association, has officially opposed collective bargaining throughout its history. Missouri law forbids strikes by public employees. I have taught in Cape Girardeau for over 15 years and am not aware of any insurrection or unreasonable demands made by the teachers here. Where is this great "clout and stranglehold" used by the local teachers? The Southeast Missourian's concern about union or NEA pressure occurring locally is totally unfounded.

There are no teachers in Cape Girardeau "making $80,000" as might be suggested by the article. Our superintendent of school's "salary" is not that amount. In fact, our average salary of $28,000 falls below the "wage earner's annual compensation of $30,000" and far below the national average "annual compensation for teachers of $38,000." Our beginning salary for new teachers is $20,000, hardly a gold mine when placed in the context of today's cost of living. Even though most of our teachers have two college degrees, salaries in Cape Girardeau aren't even at the average level for Missouri. Aren't teachers also "wage earners?" Are we not allowed to be normal people who have the same needs as everyone else? One wonders how low teachers' salaries should be for the Southeast Missourian to find them acceptable.

I am also puzzled by the reference to the wonderful benefit packages afforded to teachers. Local teachers must pay the premiums for their families' hospitalization insurance and contribute 10 percent of our annual salary toward the pension plan. The "22 percent benefits provided to average workers" would be great, since our benefits amount to about 15 percent. Many local businesses offer better benefit packages than those provided for teachers. Furthermore, teachers aren't on vacation during the summer. We are unemployed! Teachers are employed only for the school year and not paid for the summer. Some teachers do find extra work during the break, but most rest and recover from the stress of dealing with large groups of children. Imagine your emotional state if you gathered all the children in your neighborhood and remained locked in a small room with them for nine months. State law requires new teachers to earn a graduate degree to get annual pay increases and, in some cases, to even remain in the teaching profession. When is further education done, if not during the summer term? Many "wage earners" with the equivalent education, professional training and having worked at the same position for some time receive three, four or more weeks of vacation with pay. Resting and "retooling" are legitimate concerns of teachers.

I have been teaching for nearly 30 years. During that time I have found 99 percent of my fellow teachers to be honest, caring, hard-working and very dedicated to their teaching. In addition to the eight hours worked by teachers, most take work home to finish at night. My wife, also a teacher, easily averages two or more hours per night grading her students' work. As friends and acquaintances of mine visit my classroom or are involved in school activities, their frequent statement is, "I don't know how you do it!" or "I wouldn't be a teacher for any amount of money!" The insinuation that teachers are overpaid or overly "enriched" and working only for the big money is ludicrous (laughable, if it were not such a serious charge). If teachers are so highly paid, where are the hordes of young people dashing into the teaching profession? The national average length of time for teachers remaining in teaching is only seven years. Most of the teachers I know and work with are teaching because they love children, see teaching as a noble profession and feel they are making a positive contribution in the lives of the young people. Doesn't it seem that those with all the solutions and those hurling negative charges are usually not directly involved in education? Are partisan politics more important than our children?

I, for one, am growing tired of the negative articles and criticism of our schools and those working there. When I read in our local newspaper about greedy teachers and the poor education received by today's students, I wonder which school in the Southeast Missourian reading area is being described. Is it the Cape Girardeau public schools? I hope not. We at Central High are having a great year -- one of the best I can remember. I think I speak for teachers in all our schools. With all our problems shown on the front page of the newspaper, please believe for each bad thing reported there are 20 good (great) things happening for our children.

Please support your schools and be positive about the things done there. Attend school programs and get involved in your child's school experience. Cape Girardeau is a great place to live, to teach and to learn. The students in our schools excel in many, many areas and leave our school prepared for college, the job market and life. We teachers are very proud of our profession and very proud of our schools. Please, be proud with us, and let's work together for positive results.

Ronald Nall is the band director at Central High School in Cape Girardeau.