Locksmiths and Teachers

Barney may deal with some locks that resist repair, but do they talk back? Do they refuse to do their homework? Do they have parents who phone in their rude comments on his work? Is he responsible for 180 locks a day? Do other locks run and scream in the halls while Barney tends to his job?

Does he face a public that tells him he is doing an inadequate job when in fact he is doing a heroic job? Does he take locks home to fix at night? Does he write new lessons for locks over a summer of forced unemployment? Not one of my fellow teachers wishes to attack locksmiths or any other school district employee. We just want proper recognition and adequate pay for our work. Barney is right--one employee must not attempt to advance his position by pulling another down. It was just unfortunate that the school district’s own publication announced the salaries it offers to locksmiths alongside the paltry pay it gives beginning teachers.

You’re right, Mr. Barney, don’t fall for school district tricks and split the ranks. And don’t misrepresent the many hours of work I do both in and out of the classroom. If I worked only 6 hours a day, I’d still be correcting papers I collected in 1972.

ANN BOURMAN

Los Angeles