RE: the TIME cover story on the plight of teachers.  

How many potentially talented teachers don't go into the field because of pay alone? And did you hear about teacher burnout? Here's another problem facing educators, especially those teaching middle and high school: they are expected to ensure a good outcome, no matter what the odds. This is especially acute in high educated/high income areas, where parents agonize over whether their child will get into Harvard. If their child doesn't earn high grades, blame the school. Here's the rub: Even the most motivating teacher will have those few resistant students who won't do the work. A teacher can't make a child brilliant who isn't. A teacher is not a social worker or a psychiatrist. But still, that teacher will lay awake nights trying to come up with the right idea to help that one student who might be reachable. Here's the truth: a teacher who positively engages most students, and changes the path of even ONE, is a success. But how many can enter or stay in a profession that pays so little for so little affirmation?