Letters: Thank you, teachers

I recently decided to begin a post-retirement career as a substitute teacher. I did this partly because I have been married to a school teacher for 32 years and felt I needed to see for myself what a typical day in a public school was like. After only one day on the job I think I was the one who was educated the most.

I filled in for a 4th grade teacher with a class of 28 kids. During my career with a local arson and bomb squad unit I found myself in some pretty stressful situations, but nothing compares to the stress teachers must face each day in the classroom. I came away absolutely convinced that teachers are underpaid, underappreciated, and overworked. I now know why charter schools exist and most of all I learned that good teachers are born and not made.

My hat goes off to all of you, and yes I will take more time to listen to my wife when she comes home after a day in the classroom. Many of our legislators would benefit greatly by spending one day in the shoes of a Utah educator.

Bob Halloran

West Jordan