I hope you don't mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is....

I am a Schaumburg middle school teacher, and at this point I'm so discouraged that it's tempting to consider a career change.

I used to love my job, and I truly felt that I spent my days doing important, meaningful work.

However, in today's climate of gleeful teacher-bashing, it is increasingly difficult to stay positive about my career choice. Public perception of my profession is overwhelmingly negative.

My salary and schedule are ridiculed, despite the fact that I work countless hours outside of my classroom during evenings, weekends, and "vacations."

That I hold an advanced degree, and continue to take college courses at my own cost to stay abreast of the latest advances in education, evidently is also not justification for my relatively modest salary.

No other profession is so scrutinized and denigrated by so large a segment of American society.

It seems that anyone who ever attended school thinks he or she knows better than I how I should do my job.

For each of my students, I must be instructor, nurturer, disciplinarian, role model, cheerleader, and advocate.

I am expected to produce students who achieve each year at higher and higher levels, regardless of how many might suffer from a lack of sleep, proper nutrition or parental support.

Yet I am made to feel that whatever I do, it is not enough. Most teachers are caring, dedicated professionals who, above all else, want to provide for their students the quality education that is necessary for a rewarding and successful life.

The media and the public should acknowledge that most teachers are performing exceptionally well in a very difficult profession.

Teachers are not the problem.

Janet L. Lundeberg

Schaumburg