"I'm talking about a broad range of issues. It's class size, it's being provided with the kinds of resources teachers need, it's mentoring programs for new teachers, it's ESL (English as a second language), it's per-pupil expenditure. Teachers are dealing with many issues they didn't have to deal with in the past, and they are perfectly willing to do their very, very best, but they need to be put in a position where they can be successful and many don't find they have that."

So they leave.

"The answer doesn't lie in importing teachers," said Campbell, "it depends on the state making the teaching profession attractive."

On a positive note, Campbell said she has heard no concerns that the importation of foreign teachers will take away jobs from the local work force — as has happened, for example, with farm workers and construction laborers — even though teachers from Mexico are liable to look at their paychecks and figure they won the lottery.

"We are a profession, and I don't see that that's going to be a wholesale issue," she said.

The UEA president said she sees a silver lining in the publicity being generated by the Mexican imports.

"It's an opportunity to bring the issue of teacher shortage to the attention of the public," she said. "While we hope this program creates a good experience for the teachers and the students, it could also draw needed attention to the deeper problem that it's masking."

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Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.