Teachers must work many hours off the clock

I’m pretty sure letter writer Kathy Horton (“How ‘basic’ are teachers’ salaries,” The Herald, June 28) needs to walk a mile or so in my moccasins.

I’ve been a high school teacher for 16 years, and I don’t get paid for everything I do. This summer I will spend weeks preparing units for a new class I will teach; I won’t get paid for that. I go in every Saturday morning during the school year just to get organized without distractions; I don’t get paid for that. I work hours longer than my contract day every day prepping for my classes and grading papers; I don’t get paid for that. I definitely don’t get paid for everything I do, and neither do my colleagues.

Four months of break? I wish. Summer is about nine weeks this year. Yes, we get two weeks at Christmas. We also get midwinter break and spring break. However, like many of my colleagues, I work at home for school on all my breaks. Without these vacations, our vocations would be unbearable. Good teaching is incredibly demanding and hard work, and it takes its toll physically and emotionally. I had to go to four-fifth’s time because I was getting sick all the time.

People who haven’t done the job have no idea. If I had to live on my salary alone, it would be difficult. I do not get paid enough for what I do. I’m not a huge WEA fan, but I’m glad I have a union in a profession that constantly asks for more.

Mary Simmons

Bothell