Those who commit themselves to the education of our children deserve our deepest respect. The work of our teachers extends far beyond the classroom. These unsung heroes volunteer to serve as mentors and coaches with no expectation of pay or official recognition in return for their efforts. Nearly three million women and men accept the responsibility of imparting to young minds the values and skills they will need throughout their lives. But the number of teachers is expected to increase only marginally over the next several years, and will not keep pace with the growth in the population of children attending our schools.
Teachers face many obstacles, from overwhelmingly large classes to violence in our schools.
While many others spend their lives building careers, educators dedicate themselves to shaping lives, and they deserve our most enthusiastic support in this important endeavor.