This is in response to Joseph Roy’s letter of Sept. 24. As a veteran teacher, I take offense at the insinuations suggested by his letter. Making the outlandish assumption that teachers don’t give any more of their time than required is preposterous.

My typical workday begins at 7 a.m. and ends between 5-6 p.m. I usually have two hours of school-related work to do at home, and three to five hours over the weekend. I work 55-60 hours per week. With a master’s and 17 years experience, I average $18 an hour. Before becoming a teacher, I earned the same amount as a medical transcriber working 36 hours per week.

Why would I work more for less when I could work less for more? Because I care about my students and believe I can make a positive difference in their lives.

I invite anyone who thinks a teacher’s job is “easy” or “not worth every penny” to trade places. It would be eye-opening.

Taxes certainly impact those on fixed incomes, but to blame education and educators is unfair. My understanding of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is limited, but if TABOR in decreases the funds necessary to run schools effectively, what will happen to students?

Teachers are not the enemy, and Roy’s words are insulting to our profession. Other than being a mother, being a teacher is the most important thing I can do to make this world a better place.

Lucy Rioux, Gardiner