Tina Vanasse is my hero. Thank heaven I turned on the TV last March 15 and saw the Auburn School Committee meeting live. Otherwise, based on the report in the Sun Journal, I would have thought she was an “arrogant” teacher bent on undermining the democratic process.

Quite the contrary.

Ms. Vanasse is a passionate advocate for the young people of this community; a citizen and teacher who understands the importance of education for all of us. She also understands that the public needs to treat educators as the professionals they are – women and men who are highly trained and motivated.

Teaching well has always been difficult. Teaching well in a world where both information and people are changing fast is that much more difficult.

Ms. Vanasse wasn’t suggesting that citizens shouldn’t ask questions. She was challenging the motives of those who think the Auburn schools are too well funded.

Does the public really think that our children don’t deserve good schools?

My daughter was watching with me that night. She knows that Tina Vanasse, and the other women who stood up for our children at the meeting, are rooting for her.

Our children are watching us. Do we care enough to fund their future?

Jane Costlow, Auburn