First, I appreciate your respectful disagreement. And second, yes! Education is wonderful and vital to making the world a better place!

My point is that teachers aren’t any more special than all the other people who choose a career in public service, sacrifice for that public service career, and are put at risk in a variety of ways for that job. Or even more deserving of respect than anyone else in the world who are paid too little and have to be exposed to illness regularly. Like anyone in any public facing job.

Being a teacher is a wonderful calling, but it comes with certain downsides. The same as any other job. I will certainly say that they are more special than, say, someone who day trades for a living. They provide so much more to society! But not anymore than other public servants, and they shouldn’t be elevated to a position where they are both revered as making huge sacrifices while complaining about the sacrifices.

I say this as someone who has spent her entire career in government and nonprofit service. I work more hours and get paid the same, with tons of environmental risks. And NO ONE is happy to see a conservation agent show up at a job site or require a permit. But I chose this career. Public service comes with costs… I accept the costs in my career because I believe in its greater good.

But thank you for the reasonable and appropriate way you disagree with me! This is how good conversations happen. :)

Edit: “appropriate” was a weird word choice, but I can’t think of another better word right now