For anyone that has the misguided perception that teachers are overpaid babysitters should consider volunteering their time in a local school - it would be a much needed reality check!

The Beloit teachers settled 2 two-year contracts this past spring. The first one for the 07-08 and 08-09 school years and the other for the 09-10 and 10-11 school years. To all of our hard working, dedicated teachers...have a great year. You are appreciated!

Everyone talks about how Janesville and now Milton have contracts now, hopefully for Milton. Yet the Gazette and everybody else fails to realize that the Beloit School District has been without a contract as well. All of that publicity for Janesville going through their contract disputes, and Beloit, the 2nd biggest district in Rock County has no contract. Get in the game Gazette, throw in some support for the Beloit teachers now!

To Draxtery and Who: As a teacher for a local school district, I am extrememly offended by your comments. Before commenting, I'd like to see you come into a classroom, any age, and handle 20 plus students, all while trying to teach a lesson, deal with increasing behavior issues, adapt lessons for students with special needs, try to communicate with children that may not speak English, etc. etc. etc. Many teachers work way more than 8 hours per day, and are in working for much of the summer, not to mention taking classes for professional development, which most pay for out of their own pocket. We ALL spend our own money providing materials for our classrooms as budgets keep decreasing. If you have children in school, I truly hope that their teacher does not know how little you value their profession. If you have children, maybe you should consider schooling them yourself, since you obviously think we are not teaching children anything.

Teaching is the profession by which all others are made possible. Most teachers are required to report either an hour early to work or stay an hour later at the end of the day. The writing of lesson plans, correcting of papers, reading of essays, etc., is often done during evening hours at home. Continuing education is expected and usually done evenings or during the summer. They are also expected to volunteer for community projects as well as inservice projects and committees. I know one teacher that spent several weekends selling hotdogs and brats in order to raise money so students could attend a science event. I know another who used her own money to purchase clothing for poorer students.

To equate the teaching profession with "babysitting" is a tremendous insult.

I am sure many teachers work longer than 8 hour days! When you stop and think of their prep time and class room time. I do believe we need to think of our teachers as more than a babysitter. Come on stop and think a little before you post such rude comments. Milton as well as Janesville has some wonderful teachers who deserve more respect from the public.

What teachers are in the class room 8 hours per day?

Well, draxtrey, let's do the math...

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Now when I hire a baby sitter it is about $5/hr for the first kid and $3/hr for each additional kid. Give them a class of 24 (a low example) and you'd be talking $77/hr. 8 hours per day that is $616 per day. 180 days per year comes to $110,880. Seems like pretty underpaid babysitters if you ask me.

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I'm sure you are welcome to get the education and take the job if you think it is so great.

I suppose this means the already over paid baby sitters will be getting even more.