Regarding the letter, “A real burden for working parents”: It never ceases to amaze me at the number of people who think that they need to share with others their true lack of knowledge concerning the motives of teachers.
Teachers are required to attend the Friday workshops. They do not do so because they need an outlet to share cooking recipes, gossip or to socialize. No bus driver, regardless of the district that they work in, would have any knowledge of the content of those workshops. To imply otherwise is ridiculous.
As far as increasing the burden and pressure on working parents is concerned, does a one-day walkout really impact those responsibilities that much? If so, then the trade-off is that the students will be in school one extra day before their summer break begins. That gives those overburdened and over-pressured parents one extra day to prepare for the burdens and pressures that summer brings.
To anyone who thinks teaching is easy, especially when there are too many students per classroom, they need to spend some time in an actual classroom to see the reality of the situation. They will walk away with a real appreciation for the challenges that teachers face each and every day.
Teachers do not teach for the money, the “extra” time off, or because they like to baby-sit, or any other ridiculous reason that I have heard spoken by clueless people. Teachers teach because they genuinely care about the students, they take pride in doing a great, not just a good job, and they know that preparing your children to become responsible and productive citizens rests largely on their shoulders.
So the next time you really want to know why the teachers are so dedicated that they are willing to take a stand, ask any one of them. They are more than happy to educate you as to why they do care so much whether or not the Legislature follows through on its responsibilities to the voters.
Carol Whitney
Marysville
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