I read “La Center teachers protest before talks” (Aug. 21, The Columbian) and thought that the last thing any parent wants to hear at the end of the summer is the possibility of the school year not starting back up on time. And yet, as La Center teachers prepare to strike for fair pay, parents, teachers, and the community have been overwhelmingly in support of teachers. And I agree.
After all, who wants to send their kids to a school where those who are teaching their children are afforded so little respect? La Center teachers were part of the grand formula, of parental support, strong teachers, and hard work that has made it possible for me to have the life I wanted and I am grateful. I graduated from La Center High School in 1992, and am now a successful businesswoman in New York City. My education at La Center was excellent, entirely because the majority of the teachers that taught me were passionate and supportive. I believe that education is the foundation of a successful life, and we must support those who provide it. They deserve to make a decent living, not to be the lowest-paid teachers in the region.
