The teacher who "taught" me to read was a horrible, mean, snippy, condescending woman who put me in a corner facing away from the class and told my parents she thought I belonged in special ed. Sooooooo, I'm afraid I don't feel hugely grateful to her.
But, I am hugely grateful for the vast majority of teachers I had growing up, and I am hugely grateful for the very important role they play in our society. I am sure being a teacher has its rewards, but even a mediocre teacher has applied her/himself greatly to the profession and has made many personal sacrifices in order to serve society.
So - many thanks. I sure hope Austin doesn't lay off a single teacher.
