Teachers are seriously so important to me. Some more than others, maybe, but every single one of the fifty or so I’ve had undoubtedly made some kind of impression on me, and that’s incredible. I don’t think teachers get enough appreciation (and no, Teacher Appreciation Week does not really count for anything) and I think I’m speaking for a lot of people when I find that unfair.

I don’t mean this to disrespect professional athletes or downplay their role in society, but I genuinely do not understand how a multibillion dollar industry relies on a bunch of sweaty dudes throwing some sort of ball around and achieving their respective goals. I think team sports are great for building character and fostering good teamwork habits, but I don’t think that someone should be paid upwards of a few million a year to be one of those (admittedly physically impressive) sweaty dudes.

And then on the other side of things, why does this person who just taught me some important concept or skill that I can apply to the rest of my life only make a fraction of a fraction of that?

This seems to be an especially prevalent problem in America, which can likely be attributed to the blatant consumerism and resultant lack of personal industry permeating society. Most people would rather watch sweaty dudes than learn calculus, so more money goes into that industry. That’s simple supply and demand.

That’s the danger of a capitalist system though (and yeah, there are communist undertones to this article so if that interferes with your right to #freedom then turn around and say the Pledge of Allegiance three times to restore your patriotism.) It gives the consumer all the power, and sometimes, the consumer does not use that power wisely. As long as there’s a good marketing team, you could sell rocks and become a millionaire.

So we’re capable of creating demand for literal rocks, but not for teachers? All they’re doing is educating the new generation who will presumably perpetuate humanity and continue to uphold functioning society as we know it.

But I mean rocks are pretty sweet too.

Basically, my point is that teachers are constantly forgotten, and I don’t understand why. No one who’s in power now could possibly be there without teachers, yet the federal budget allots almost 20 times as much money for military spending than for education spending, despite the fact that we are currently not in any major wars.

I know that recognition is probably not as good as a pay raise, but I think it’s a first step. If we, the consumer, consciously raise demand for teachers, there will be obvious benefits. For one, it will increase competition and therefore ensure that better teachers are getting hired, which will create a cycle of higher standards of education. Also, said teachers will receive the wages and appreciation they deserve.

I would not for one second hesitate to say that I’ve had teachers that significantly changed my life. And I also would not hesitate to say that, if it were up to me, teaching would be one of the highest paying fields in this country.

So this is a formal thank you to every teacher I’ve ever had. Even the ones I didn’t know very well. Even the ones I didn’t like very much (I’m looking at you, Higgins.) Thank you for caring about the next generation. Thank you for working with a bunch of bratty kids who think they’re smarter than you, for coming to work every day and making life better for them whether they want you to or not. And thank you for doing all of this without making a million dollars a year.

I hope you don’t regret missing your chance to pursue a career as a professional athlete, because I don’t know what I’d do without you.