To the editor:

I am responding to Ms. Crecelius’ letter about teachers and the amount of time she spends doing her job.

After a recent conversation with the district, I was told Mehlville schools were in session for only 174 days out of 365 in the calendar year 2011-2012.

Mehlville schools have four different time schedules and all these schedules adhere to a six-hour-and-45-minute day.

Most employees in industry must work eight hours per day, 40 hours per week. Those who are self-employed work 10 to 16 hours per day and many would be elated to collect a salary compared to yours. Everyday Americans work a minimum of 261 days per year — compared to a teacher’s schedule of 174 days — less time accrued for vacation.

So it is difficult for some to sympathize with your plight.

In addition, most private-sector workers, do not retire with “golden-parachute” monthly retirements. As far as spending money out of pocket, being creative with lesson plans can achieve a reasonable outcome as well.

Perhaps if the vast amount of money set aside for teacher retirements by the Mehlville School District was in line with private-sector retirement plans, there would be more money for incidentals in the classroom as well.

Remember: “It’s for the kids.”

So, it’s admirable for you to be so conscientious about your job as a teacher. Lord knows we need dedicated people guiding our young. But please, don’t insult and berate Mehlville’s taxpaying residents.

We have demanding, time-consuming jobs as well and our compensation can be meager for 12 months of employment.

Sue Jernigan

Oakville