You said it

NEA Today, Jan 1999 by Fischer, Bill

In a recent New York Times feature, author Francine Prose wrote that "few middle class parents will pretend to be elated by the news that their children have decided to teach elementary school."

Added Prose: "It's amazing that anyone teaches, that anyone wants to or can."

That attitude-because the profession isn't respected and teachers are underpaid, it's better to find other lines of work-is something that NEA member Janet Ruwe has come across many times. She offers a different perspective.

"I've always been proud to be called a teacher," says Ruwe, who retired this year after 25 years as an elementary teacher in the Meridian, Idaho, schools. And she's just as proud that three daughters have followed her into the profession.

Two of the teacher-daughters are also married to teachers. So when the families all gather for dinner, it's not difficult to guess what the conversation is all about.

All of the Ruwe women, interestingly, entered college thinking about other careers, even though they'd grown up watching their mother bridge home and teaching. And now a Ruwe son, who's in a technical field, is also thinking about-you guessed it-teaching.

What the Ruwe children have inherited from their mother is a genuine desire to help young people and the joy and satisfaction that go with that role.

"When I decided to leave teaching after 25 years," recalls Janet, "it wasn't because I was burned out or bored. I just thought it was time for me to do something else.

"That last day when I walked the schoolyard for the last time," adds this veteran educator, "I still felt good about teaching, just as I had when I began my career.

"I know other professions often pay more and are sometimes more respected," sums up Janet, "but I can't think of anything that's more rewarding than knowing you've helped someone learn."