Merit Pay for Teachers

I was reading your article on merit pay with great interest as I am a teacher (Jan. 30). I was feeling a certain disquiet that I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Then it hit me--I became insulted. There was the clear implication that if I had the carrot of extra pay, I would do a better job in the classroom.

Believe me, I may not be a perfect teacher but it’s not because I’m not trying! I face many challenges on the job and work hard to succeed at what I do. Future students will benefit from what I learn on the job every day, not because I want to earn more than my colleague in the neighboring class.

SUSAN M. CUTTRISS

Fillmore