Educators are usually ex-teachers

The answer to Steve Smith’s query about the difference between a

teacher and an educator (“When teachers get bullied too,” Saturday)

could be either of the following:

Either an educator is a teacher who feels that the word “teacher”

doesn’t carry enough societal weight, or an educator is a former

teacher who opted out of the classroom to become an administrator,

but still considers him or herself an educator.

To the first-case scenario I can only say, “grow up.”

Teaching is one of the noblest professions in society, even if, at

times, it is underpaid. Among the myriad problems in that profession

is that teachers are regarded (and often regard themselves) as labor

rather than as professionals. Worse is when they act like it.

Even though many were forced to become union members, it didn’t

lessen their value in the classroom. Worrying more about teaching

schedules and days off than about student achievement is not the

behavior of a professional.

The second case is more common. Years ago, I opted to give up

being a bassoonist in symphony orchestras for more lucrative work in

the music industry. Although in my own mind I may still be a

bassoonist, to a bassoonist, I’m an ex-bassoonist.

Those who opted out of the classroom to become school

administrators may consider themselves educators, but to a teaching

educator -- they are in the ex- category.

ALAN REMINGTON

Costa Mesa