Treating Teachers as Less Than Educated Professionals...What are the true costs?

An interesting article form the New York Times on the impacts of disrespecting the teaching profession and treating teachers as less than educated and knowledgeable professionals it subtle ways such as respect, salary, and general abilities.  I am very concerned that America will not recognize and support changes in meaningful ways until it is too late for the very children we are charged to educate, nurture, support, and shape for future endeavors.  A comparative education, skill set, and knowledge base is valued much higher in the business world than the educational one.  Hence, the reason so many leave the teaching profession to pursue careers in areas where they are respected, valued, and accorded with the dignity and acclaim that recognizes what they have accomplished and their value is compensated accordingly.  When over half of the teachers in America retire in the next 2-3 years, who is going to replace them?  Very few want to enter the teaching profession for the reasons stated above and many more.  Professionals do not want a second career as a teacher because they are not treated as professionals.  Yet, these are exactly the people that our students can benefit from the most.  A disconnect exist and until it is corrected, we are at an impasse and the education of our children will continue to suffer.

The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries