by Ann Herron

GUEST COLUMNIST

If you can read this, thank a teacher."

That simple sentence probably describes the more than 90 percent of us that were taught to read by a public school teacher. It's time we realize how great a collective debt we owe to those educators who spend their time and energy improving each generation.

This should start with paying our teachers more. One of the major reasons that the Tooele County School District is having a hard time recruiting students is that, even after last year's legislative raise, Utah teacher pay is abysmal.

Last week it was reported that the district is looking to fill 100 to 125 spots for the next academic year, a mere eight months away. And there is a full-time recruiter out there, attending job fairs, maintaining an online presence and headhunting all over to find enough teachers to educate our children.

Utah is 38th in the nation in teacher pay. We don't even keep up with the national rate of inflation, according to the American Federation of Teachers. In a state where one out of four residents is a student, we need to pay more to increase the pool of teachers willing to relocate here.

I realize that Utah is trying. Last year the state legislature voted for a $2,500 raise and a $1,000 bonus for each teacher in the state, and some members of the legislature are practically guaranteeing another $2,500 raise this year. That would go a long way toward giving teachers salary parity with other professionals, and enable them to put down the type of roots -- i.e., home ownership, supporting a family -- that will keep them in the state.

Although housing prices in Tooele County are generally not as high as in other parts of the state, a starting salary of approximately $32,000 for a new teacher with a bachelor's degree still makes it hard to make a mortgage payment.

Utah colleges should also consider making it easier for second-career teachers to certify. Second-career teachers are generally individuals who have had a successful first career and feel drawn to the classroom to share their invaluable skills and knowledge.

When I looked into certifying to teach school, I was told it would take at least three semesters of full-time schooling to earn a certification -- and I have a master's degree and six years of experience teaching college.

If you feel like I do and want our teachers to be paid better, you could e-mail your legislators and tell them your opinions. The addresses are on the state Web site at www.utah.gov.

You could also remember what teachers have given you by taking the time to thank one today.

Ann Herron is a journalist and former associate professor at Utah State University who lives in Tooele. She can be reached at annherron@comcast.net.