I dreamed of beign a teacher when I was young (or a lawyer). I had an amazing teacher in grade 1, Mrs Logue, who was what I call a born teacher. She sat me down over coffee when I was in grade 12 and told me not to do it. It was 1989. she saw the writing on the wall, the disresepct from parents and children, the power being taken away from those in the classroom. Oh, and she told me I laked the temperament and patience to deal with any of that. Which was sad because I was very good at the actual "teaching part," but she was right.

I can't even imagine retired teachers returning to the classroom in the US. What teachers are paid, from what I understand is appalling. Seriously, trained, educated professionals that we as a society entrust our children to for hours each day, are paid for shit, deal with I can't even fathom the stress...nope. And now, they aren't even teachers, their's just so much more to it before you even get to the education part of the day, breakfast cook, social worker, lunch provider (because goodness knows some kids don't have one)....Jesus, it must be about 2pm before you get to the actual teaching.

To me teaching is more than a job, it's a calling, just as much as nursing, or the ministry is, the pull to light up young minds is just something in the blood one needs. It sure ain't the money. I'm with you on the call for an overhaul! And I repeat, we trust our children to these professionals, give them the pay and respect they deserve!