What's a good teacher worth?

It's national Teacher Appreciation Week, and we're reminded that in all the free world, no pursuit is more noble.

If an amazing teacher didn't pick you up at some point in your youth - a point where you could have gone south when north was the direction you wanted - then you have our sympathy. Most of the successful, happy adults we know were empowered somewhere along the path by a teacher who truly gave a damn.

Good teachers are worth their weight in gold and should not be lumped in with those who aspire to mediocrity and inspire even less. Good teachers know the reward of seeing the bright light of understanding blaze in the eyes of a previously daunted child. They relish the hugs and tears at the end of the year, when parting truly is sweet sorrow. They know the bliss of restful sleep after working extra hard for extra hours to make a difference in their students' lives each day. But as a society, we must do more to reward the best teachers.

Sen. John Goedde stated in a recent candidate forum that good teachers should be rewarded on a financial scale equal to or better than other highly valued professionals. Gov. Butch Otter echoed similar sentiments in a meeting at The Press on Monday. That's why the efforts of the governor's bipartisan education task force and funding provided by the Legislature are so important going forward. A key component of overall educational improvement is rewarding good teachers which, in turn, will attract even more good teachers to Idaho classrooms.

Because we all want the very best teachers for our kids in this increasingly competitive world, it behooves us to encourage each and every one, to give them the tools they need to succeed, and that includes moral as well as financial support.

Teachers throughout North Idaho, thank you one and all.

And those very special, particularly dedicated teachers? Bless you most of all.