SNOWSTORM
We owe teachers our gratitude for caring
It had nothing to do with test scores or graduation rates. It was far more important than that. It had to do with the care and protection of children and, once again, teachers came through. In times of crisis, heroism is not made, it’s exhibited, and teachers demonstrated that time and time again. We owe them our gratitude and praise.
JERRY SCHWARTZ, ALPHARETTA
What if everybody had an on-board de-icer?
What if all those vehicles out on the road during the recent snow storm had some kind of a de-icer spreading system? Think about it. If each, or many, or even some had a way to dispense the equivalent of several car lengths of de-icer, perhaps the horrible gridlock with all of its accompanying hardships could have been prevented or greatly lessened.
Users of roadways would play an active role keeping them safe and passable. In geographical areas where severe adverse winter weather impacts are infrequent, municipalities would not have to make heavy investments in snow and ice removal equipment and manpower. Authority reliance on accurate weather forecasting would be of less consequence.
Certainly there are brain trusts that could determine the worthiness and feasibility of this idea. Cars and trucks are equipped with fuel tanks, windshield washer bottles, and miscellaneous fluids reservoirs. It seems reasonable that a de-icer dispenser could be included. Community governments may look favorably on subsidizing such a vehicle add-on.
JACK FINDLAY, WOODSTOCK
EDUCATION
Teachers, children truly deserve better
Thank you for Sunday’s article on teacher heroes (“On own, drivers and teachers turn heroes,” News, Feb. 2), and thank you to the editors for the placement of all of the education articles on the front page. They tell the true story of what it is like to be an educator in Georgia in 2014.
Cumulatively over the last 12 years, we’ve endured larger and larger class sizes, higher insurance costs, furlough days, austerity cuts, salary cuts and broken promises regarding the funding of the National Board Salary certification supplements for teachers who go the extra mile to obtain it using their own money. Yet we still stepped up to take care of our children last Tuesday when our leaders failed us once again.
We deserve better, and so do our children. I am grateful the AJC is helping to communicate the truth to Georgians so that our citizens can make informed decisions when they pull the lever to vote this year.
DALE DUNCAN, ATLANTA
Betrayed? You’re breaking my heart
In reference to the article “Top-flight teachers feel betrayed by cuts” (News, Jan. 2): Stop it! You’re breaking my heart. We have a president advocating “income equality” for all. Now, when the shoe is on the other foot, among those who worked hard and who sought excellence and are self-motivated, the feeling of betrayal rises. Why? Isn’t this what is being hawked by our leaders? Isn’t socialism the trend of the future?
Why should this teacher, who “spent hundreds of hours and often thousands of dollars,” feel betrayed? This is her contribution to society. Transferring the results of her self-motivation to those who would rather survive via the efforts of others is being applauded and advocated. Note how the numbers of those who did attempt to “rise above” has dwindled from a high of 257 individuals in 2003 to one in school years 2011 through 2013. It’s amazing! When rewards were available, people strived to excel. Without incentives, why bother? Let’s just plod along and bring everything down to a lower common denominator.
DON REHWALDT, TYRONE
