Midcareer Teachers

Re “State to Tap Middle-Aged for Teachers” Oct. 4: The idea that people will come into teaching as a second career is not a new one. Six to 10 years ago it was proposed that many ex-aerospace engineers go into teaching to solve the math/science shortage of qualified teachers. This approach, along with many other bureaucratic Band-Aids, failed miserably. Quality teachers will only come to the profession when it is realized that enhanced pay with personal reward are the incentives. This applies to all levels of teachers. The key word is career!

As a teacher it amazes me that no other profession (law, medicine, accounting, etc.) is expected to take its pay as 50% financial and 50% personal. I’m also saddened that somehow just about anybody is preceived to qualify as a teacher if they have some kind of degree.

My co-workers and I serve in a demanding profession. Walk a mile in my shoes, then decide.

ROBERT TIMBERLAKE

Torrance

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The “It’s Your Turn” advertising campaign to attract midcareer professionals to teach in California’s public schools should, in fairness, warn them just how long their “turn” will last. For those who are leaving a career where they contributed to Social Security, the new teaching career demands a lifelong sacrifice beyond low salaries and lousy working conditions: a significant reduction in their Social Security benefits “offset” against their “windfall” State Teachers Retirement System pension.

Could some of the program’s $1-million budget fund ads urging Congress to repeal this unfair obstacle to teaching as a second career? Otherwise, it’s difficult to imagine 260,000 professionals smart enough to make a difference for California’s students also being dumb enough to deliberately reduce their individual retirements.

CAROLYN WIDENER

Venice