It is not hidden knowledge that teaching in the United States is a disrespected, underpaid, and unappreciated profession. The education system is something I have been concerned about for a while, not only as a student who wants a good education but as a student who is considering being a teacher as my career. I sent out a form to Gilbert High School teachers and received twenty-eight responses. These teachers ranged from those who teach core classes (math, science, history, and english), those who teach special education students, and those who teach electives. One of the biggest questions for these teachers was what their biggest sacrifice was, and nineteen out of the twenty-eight teachers said time.
Teachers from all across campus explained that they spend multiple outside-of-school hours dedicated to their students. One teacher said, “Teaching takes a lot of time out of your personal schedule, whether that be the time it takes to plan lessons, to grade papers, to organize your classroom, to collect and analyze data, or even just decompress after a particularly hard day dealing with difficult situations...it takes a lot.” A large portion of these teachers explained that they have missed out on time with their families due to the dedication they’ve put into their job. Society, including the district and the students, forget that teachers are people who live outside of the classroom, which is unfair. However, some teachers have a differing opinion, “I don't see it as a sacrifice, but my job. I spend additional time before and after school to make sure students have what they need to succeed, but I don't see it as a sacrifice, simply helping to prepare these students for post-high school success in the working field as well as personally,” which I believe is an amazing perspective on the additional time teachers give to their students. Yet, whether or not a teacher gives extra time to their students should be their choice, not something they feel required to do. And, if teachers are putting in extra work, they should receive extra pay for doing so.

Teachers give extra, unpaid time to their profession because they care for their students’ educations, additionally, they supply materials for their classrooms when need be (which is often because not only are teachers underpaid; schools are underfunded). Twenty-six out of the twenty-eight teachers polled confirmed that they have provided things for their classes because the school “would not” or “could not.” Besides basic classroom supplies, teachers also put their money towards materials specific to their subjects.
Teachers give so much time, energy, and money into their profession and they make major sacrifices, however, to them it is simply part of their job and they do it for their students because they care. One teacher put it perfectly, “When the lesson needs it, you just make sure it's there.”
Next time you see your teachers, tell them thank you because they do so much that you may not even know about.

Lastly, I would love to give a special shoutout to Mrs. Baldwin, the sponsor for Tiger Tribune. Thank you so much Mrs. Baldwin for everything you do. We all love you.