I am a 30-year veteran teacher (retired) and the proud parent of teachers who married teachers. In recent years, teaching has become increasingly more difficult as politicians, parents and the media have interfered in the classroom – banning books, restricting curriculum, dictating what we can and cannot say to students.

Teachers are highly trained professionals who are experts in their fields and need to be respected as such. In addition to teaching standardized, test-driven basics, these are the professionals who teach kids to create, to question, to care. Teachers come in early and stay late; they often sacrifice evenings, weekends and summers for your children.

They fix everything form broken shoelaces to broken hearts. Teachers must be in command of a vast array of subjects, many of which they often incorporate into a single lesson. These educators are cheerleaders, magicians, counselors, ambassadors and when needed, drill sergeants.

And what do they want in return? They want your kids to become confident, well-adjusted citizens who become lifelong learners. But they also want respect and an occasional pat on the back for doing what they love. Teaching is the most important profession; someone taught that doctor who saved your life. The cornerstone of democracy depends on a free and public education. Please, acknowledge and thank those professionals whom you trust with your children every single day.

Susan Elizabeth Kaesler

Hesperus