Jim Bright loves his children's teachers ("A teacher's real salary," Readers' Forum, Feb. 17). But his children's teachers don't work just nine months a year with three months off. Teachers are paid for a nine-month contract.

I am a teacher. This is how I spend my summers: I take multiple classes (at my expense) so I can be a better teacher to children like his. I read several professional books in order to keep updated as to best practices. I spend hours at school preparing for yet another assignment change, organizing, re-evaluating, and becoming familiar with material, because once the students arrive, my time is devoted to teaching. During the school year I jump through every hoop mandated by the state and district, and the school day is not enough time to do everything that needs to be done, so of course this all comes home with me.

Bright muses on what a teacher would make per hour. My husband tells me I make about 10 cents an hour. Yet, strangely, I love my profession.

Annette Krueger

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