Don't know what planet you live on Mr. Legg or where you matriculated, but you're obviously not an expert in the economic realities of today's education system. I know for fact that you'd find disagreement in virtually every area of the U.S. with everything you've said about a teacher's work day and their levels of remuneration.
The truth is many teachers (probably most), especially in the elementary levels DO NOT have aides, DO supervise recess AND DO have responsibility for bus duty...and yes many DO spend money from their paychecks for class room supplies too. Even the IRS recognizes that as fact.
If you think most work 6 hour days, then you must have failed math. Get to school at 7am and attend a 1 hr. meeting with Administrative and grade level staff at least 3 days a week if you work in a competitive school system. Take 15 minutes for yourself before students arrive at 8:15. For the noon lunch break...go to another meeting...want lunch...better brown bag it. At 3:30 take 30 minutes to work on the next days materials or call a parent, or meet with a special ed. teacher about one or more of your student. Then hurry off to another Administrative or special events meeting at 4pm. At 5pm go back to your classroom and work for an hour or so before calling it a day and driving the commute home. When you get home, don't forget to grade papers for a while EVERY night. Adds up to more like a 10-12 hr. day doesn't it? But you can take Saturday off to do your own chores. Just remember to go back to school on Sunday (most every Sunday) and put in a few more hours of prep time for the coming week. And remember you can't extend the weekend by taking a Friday or Monday off as "personal time" without getting docked a days pay...so don't plan to take a vacation or family trip during the holiday season if you can't get back at least two days early ... just like being stuck in Denver right now.
As for a 9 month school year with 3 months off, that's BS too. The days of the agricultural school year are long gone. School starts in mid August(don't forget to get your classroom set up) and ends in mid June. Teachers are required to keep up their certification by taking courses during the summer. And any good teacher will enroll in continuing education to get more specialized in what they do for your kids ... so keep cutting that summer break down to size. If you're lucky you'll squeak out 3 weeks to do what you want, but not always consequetive weeks.
The teachers who really get the shaft are the untenured "teaching assistants" at the junior college level. No job security, no health benefits and many have to work more than one school to make ends meet...that's fact and truth in the Chicago market!
I seriously doubt you'll find agreement with your ideas about teaching in either city or suburbs of L.A., Chicago, New York or any area of population. As for no shortages of teachers, bet you'll also find more leaving early due to burn out than you had in the good old days of "little house on the prairie" in Utah.
Bottom line - don't bad mouth or make fun of teachers...you just might learn something.
BTW - to the original post...buy a Guerini even if you have to save a bit longer to get the funds. As a teacher, you'll have earned it.
