The letter critical of a proposed Maine starting teacher salary of $40,000 (March 5) is a gross distortion.

It is inaccurate that teachers work only 180 school days. They work 43 weeks, averaging 53 hours per week. That is 2,279 hours per year, compared to the U.S. average work year of 1,789 hours.

It is untrue that teachers work less. Teachers are also expected to earn their master’s degree after graduation, which, when added to the estimated average bachelor of arts college debt of $30,000, significantly increases their career debt / “investment.” Teaching is the second-lowest salary-paying degree after humanities/social sciences.

Teachers educate our children – our future. They must know subject material in many academic areas (while most workers focus on a single specialist occupation), with children having diverse needs, and parents ranging from those who do not care to those who want to dictate that their children are always “exceptional.”

Teachers deal with children who are often hungry, homeless, suffering mental and physical abuse, have medical and mental issues, different learning abilities, etc. Few higher-paid professions, such as accounting and engineering, require coping with such diverse challenges.

Most teachers are dedicated, but our best minds often avoid teaching because of low pay and frustrations – 50 percent of teachers quit in the first five years. Maine is 41st in the nation for starting salaries (48th when adjusted for cost of living).

I am not a teacher, but a professional with a very satisfactory career and with decent intelligence and success through work. I know that teachers during my education provided the knowledge, skills and mentorship that ensured my success.

Teachers deserve respect and compensation for their efforts in developing our future generation – equal to other professions, and reflecting their responsibilities and mission.

G. Michael Loewe

Boothbay

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