The only rock I have been living under is my town of Slippery Rock, thank you.

I am replying to three different posts.

If a teacher attends a state college/university it doesn't mean they are any less qualified to teach then one who attends a private school. There is an accreditation called NCATE that is given to colleges that have teacher education programs. That means the colleges, private or public, must hold a certain standard. I attended an NCATE public university, and I feel I received a better education than many other teacher candidates. I am sorry, but I paid my own way through college so private schools were not an option. In addition, it seemed rather silly to pay private school prices when my public school prepared me just as well.

To clarify any other misinformation, I am not a contracted teacher, I am a substitute teacher who makes $80 a day. If you do the math I make a little over $14,000 a year. I do not receive benefits or pay during the summer. So the comment about me being greedy is unfounded.

When I did my student teaching, I was responsible for doing everything a classroom teacher did. I did this with no pay. I know I spent over $300 from September to December on items needed for lessons and projects. Like I said in my last post, school districts provide very little materials. They can't, due to limited budgets. During my time student teaching I purchased hula-hoops, various types of plants, stickers, items to conduct science experiments, cocoa and marshmallows to enhance a story. Those little extras add up. Yes, I could have sent home notes asking for items, but you can't count on everyone to do it.

As for going back to school, it is the law. A teacher must earn 6 additional credits after receiving their teaching certificate. After that, teachers must go and earn act 48 credits. That requires so many hours of training every five years. You are right, that is nothing new, other professions must do this also. However, my point is many other professions pay for their employees to go to trainings. Many school districts will not. I can't afford to go and get my credits right now. I don't have $2,000 to go and earn those credits. I am still paying my student loan payments that is close to $35,000.

I am curious, please throw out some numbers. What does a starting doctor, nurse, lawyer, accountant, therapist make? Now, look at what starting teachers make. Plus include $2,000 (at least) every five years for continuing education. The math does not lie teachers will most likely pay about the same amount of money for further education costs than what they will bring home. That is why benefits is such a draw to teach. It certainly wasn't the pay.

Folks we are blessed to have teachers who want to work in PA and stay. Many areas are not that fortunate. Many of our teachers not only work here, but live here, raise their children here, and spend their money here. Can't we give teachers the message that they are an important part of the community and we value their choice to stay. If we continue to not compensate their wages or give them health plans that won't protect them and their families; when the next contract talks comes up we will loose many valuable veteran teachers.