[DeltAlum]

Here's some experience.

Both of my Brothers-in-Law are attorneys from reasonably large, prestegious firms. The are handsomely compenstated and often put in long hours -- most of which are billable. Their compensation has grown dramatically. Back in the mid 70's, one of them was making well into six figures yearly.

Mrs. DeltAlum was a teacher for several years when we were first married -- during the same time frame. She was up at 6:00 in order to be at school by 7:00. If she wasn't directing a play, she was generally home by 5:00 or so -- but then graded papers until 10. She taught four different classes -- Freshman English, Junior English, Speech and Theatre and Remedial Freshman English. That made for four separate preparations per night. She was paid $6,700 per year.

She spent her summers taking classes toward maintaining certifications and advance degrees -- which, of course, we paid for out of our own pocket.

For six weeks or so of five night a week, two to three hour long play rehearsals, she received an additional $400.

Her Principal and Superintendent were both former coachs -- and one was a former school bus driver.

She had a knife pulled on her in class. This was in a suburban school in 1970 or so.

Later, she taught in a Catholic high school for emotionally challanged adolescent teenage girls. Most had children and many had police records.

If she were still teaching, I would hope she would be making at least $75K -- but she might not here in Colorado.

In my opinion, you can't pay teachers enough. We chose the place we live in Colorado because the school system there is/was considered the best in the state and supposedly one of the best in the country (however you figure that out and define it). Interestingly, the teachers there aren't among the highest paid in the state. They work there because of the resources and the type of students they get. We vote "yes" on every mill levy and increase.

Especially give the problems in American education, who can be more important than the people in whom we trust the education of our future generations?