I am not an educator. However, I spent my entire career working with educators at every level. I even served as an elected member of a school governing board in the early 1980’s. I resent the attitude that our elected officials seem to have about a profession that I personally feel, is one of the most important in our society. Members of the Arizona Legislature enjoy berating public educators. Criticizing our teachers because they complain about poor funding and even their work schedules. Recently, legislation was passed and signed into law, by our anti education Governor, eliminating the need for an education degree to teach in our schools.

So often, these criticisms are answered by our educators. They do so, justly to defend what they do and how they do it. Their arguments are not self serving. They are truly sincere.

Having been so close to the education community as a parent, elected official and even as an employer, I am incensed with the attitude of those elected officials, particularly our Governor, Superintendent of Education and the Arizona Legislature.

Every single educator that I have known over the past fifty years has been truly dedicated to bettering the lives of their students and the society that they will inherit. Their compensation is pitiful, requiring so many to work at more jobs, just to make a decent living. No, they are not buying boats or taking cruises. Most, if not all, provide the supplies needed in their classrooms. They do it because our public schools are underfunded. If some do chose to buy a boat or take a cruise, it comes with sacrifice of other needs. If they do, what business is it of some arrogant legislator?

My bottom line, is that we need to reassess our priorities in this state and even in this country. We must provide the resources and compensation to those who have dedicated their lives to our children. The dividends will be a better society.

I would strongly suggest that voters pay special attention to the next election. The time is well past due to make massive changes in our government to place education as our top priority.