Support your teachers

In reference to Spokane County Treasurer Mike Baumgartner (Spokesman-Review Aug 28) regarding teachers: “I’m not suggesting they don’t get paid, but a reduction so parents can have support at home.” Well how nice of you to think that teachers should get paid. How about instead: “Institute a tax system which reduces the concentration of wealth, does not allow corporations to hide profits, and actually supports the teachers to whom we entrust our children.”

In March, teachers were told to transition from traditional to all-online education, within 48 to 96 hours. And they did. Within days, teachers and parents transitioned from an understandable, manageable education system into an unknown, unmanageable array of trying to deliver education into homes in all sorts of situations. Then, as the federal and many state governments refused to deal with the reality of a viral pandemic, the teachers kept on trying to help students and parents through it all. Educational content took a back seat to keeping students and families together. After 5 months of arguing, denying, and in the best cases, planning, for another year of extremely challenging conditions; teachers are told to teach, in effect, double classes..

After decades of being told they are bad, that the ills of our children are their fault, their pay scale stagnates, support systems cut, the rich get richer, teachers are told to do double duty and Mr. Baumgartner thinks teachers should take a pay cut. No, he should resign. Support your teachers and schools.

John P. McNamara

Pullman