In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years. ~Jacques Barzun

As I pulled up to a red light, I noticed a bumper sticker on a rather "vintage" automobile in front of me. The words were in bold yellow letters: "I AM A TEACHER". I looked over the car again, and my mind went in many different directions. Why does a teacher (who looks after, guides, and gives to our priceless children), bring home an average yearly salary of $39,000-$42,000, while an insurance broker has endless monetary potential depending on the targeted market, while a corporate executive might make a triple digit salary? Let's take an inventory of what a day in the life of a teacher consists of. They are up at a ridiculous time to get to the school before the restshow up. They stand on their feet for hours working to teach children with different backgrounds, children with many different strengths and weaknesses, while keeping our little ones "in line", growing, inspired, safe, and busy during the weekdays. Teachers ensure students are eating, reaching the bus safely, and that their students are up to the state standards for testing and reaching their potential. Surprisingly, this names only a few of their "daily routine" adventures, and leaves out the other descriptions and titles they must also perform. After arriving home, that is, just before dinner, there is a short period of time before the grading and planning begins, which can take hours, depending on what time of the year it is. And, there are the "issues, the problems" that need to be handled and resolved, the rules and regulations that must be abided by, the parent-teacher conferences, and we cannot forget, the field trips. It would appear a teacher's workday constitutes more than just a full- time job, and yet, where is the reward in all of the endless work? Where is the appreciation, and how often is it given to a teacher who devotes so much time and care to providing more than we can truly imagine? A teacher must bite off more than can be chewed, on a regular basis; and really, more than most of us could handle.

During the week of May 3^rd-9^th, we can celebrate "Teacher Appreciation Week", and work toward giving back to those special mentors who give without skipping a beat. We can give back to a teacher who provides, when little, throughout the whole school year is received. During "Appreciation Week", we can spend time making a difference in the life of teacher; reminding them we do see the difference they are making and reward their endless efforts.

After seeing this "teacher", his automobile and bumper sticker, I took a moment to ponder how our priorities are out of balance, (and not just when it comes to a teacher's salary). We spend thousands a year on our cars, our recreational fun, our vacations, convenience, and the list goes on, while the ones who spends nearly 40+ hours a week helping to mold, and transform our children, work to "get by". When you break down the average teacher's salary, and work out a budget, it is quite surprising how simple they must live; especially if s/he is single. Why do corporate executives receive HUGE bonuses, which, we all seem to pay for on some level, while our teachers can count on the same salary each year, excluding bonuses? I would much rather support the bank account of a teacher.

This just in; I paid on average, $15,000 a year for private school tuition, for nearly 6 years to receive my Bachelor of Science degree. Each class had on average, 30 students attending. Hmmm, it makes me wonder why most professors, make middle double digit salaries? Something is not right here. Are we truly investing in our future, when we have yet to invest in our teachers, the true leaders who are the stepping stonesto the future?

My bumper sticker should read, "My Kids Love Homeschooling", and, I remember a bumper sticker I once came across that applies; "If you can read this, thank a teacher".

The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. ~Mark Van Doren

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10 minute pilates workout at home http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_d?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=10+minute+pilates

Teacher Appreciation Week http://www.teacher-appreciation.info/Teacher-Appreciation-Week-2009/

Average Teacher's Salary http://www.payscale.com/research/US/All_K-12_Teachers/Salary