Teacher do work hard and yes it is extremely stressful. I agree that when a person in the medical profession makes a mistake that it could be life-threatening. However, when a teacher makes a mistake we also have a huge impact on a child's life. I remember numerous nights not be able to sleep because I hadn't been able to get through to “little Johnny” and he wasn't reading. Not being able to read is life altering. Many times we have parents who refuse to help their children at home (It takes a village) or parents who were not capable of helping their children. We are often responsible for life-altering decisions–that is stressful.

Administration makes demands that teachers often feel are not in the best interest of students, but may make schools look good on paper. However, we know the children are missing out. (teaching to the test to assure good scores) We are caught between a rock and a hard place.

Teaching doesn't end at 4:00. I attend meetings, tutor, attend college classes,grade papers, sponsor clubs or athletic teams. Teachers take calls at night from parents and often sacrifice time with their own families to assist one of their students.

To be a career teacher it does take passion. I have taught for 25 years. I have a masters, several cerifications and a specialist degree. I make what many of my friends did when they took their first job out of college. I love the educational field, but do I encourage my own children to go into it. No. I want more for them, especially the respect they deserve for doing a job well.