By Steve Gunn
EAGnews.org

CAMAS, Wash. – Washington State Rep. Liz Pike says she’s been spending a great deal of time lately answering emails from teachers who are upset about their lack of cost-of-living raises.

Pike, a Republican from Camas, is apparently tired of the whining. She recently penned an “open letter to public educators” that bashes the role played by their unions and suggests that some teachers might want to find a different profession.

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She posted the letter on her Facebook page, and it’s reportedly gone “viral” in recent days, with many citizens expressing support for Pike’s thoughts, and many teachers expressing outrage.

The following is a sampling of her letter:

“Congratulations on enjoying your last day of the school year. If I had the opportunity to choose my career all over, I would have opted to get the necessary degree and teaching certificate so that I too could enjoy summertime off with my children, spring break vacations, Christmas break vacations, paid holidays, a generous pension and health insurance benefits. Instead, I chose to work a career in private sector business so that I could be one of those tax payers who funds your salaries and benefits as a state employee in a local school district.

“First, let me be clear, thank you for your service to our schools. I hope you are one of the excellent instructors who is inspiring our children to reach their full intellectual potential and learn the value of true leadership in our community. I hope you are one of the brightest and best in your teaching profession who is willing to raise the bar in our public education system that unfortunately continues to plummet when compared to worldwide education standards. The big difference between the U.S. public education system and others in the world is that we have unions that only care about the adults in the system. Since the rise of teachers’ unions in this nation, our public education system has deteriorated.

“I always encourage folks to choose a job they love! If you are uninspired because of the lack of a cost of living increase, I encourage you to speak with your neighbors who work in the private sector. Ask them when was the last time they were guaranteed pay increases that were not based on performance standards. Furthermore, teachers who are dissatisfied with their pay and benefits should look for work elsewhere so that someone who is inspired to greatness can take their place in the classroom. Our children deserve an exceptional and inspired teacher in every classroom. Don’t you agree?”