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In our class discussion, the topic of paying teachers more was brought up.

I think I would like to take a slightly different position on the issue. Um, I would be the first to say that of course teachers are not paid enough, but as far as I can tell, they are paid a living wage (sure, it won't be enough to buy a mansion or pay for your child to go to private school, or Harvard)..... but I don't think money is instrumental in making great teachers, or in any profession for that matter. Yes, there are many brilliant people who venture into law and medicine because of just how much money there is to be made, and see where that has gotten us: lawyers who care nothing for justice and doctors who don't know the first thing about nedside manner and treating patients well.

I think that the most important thing about teaching/making a good teacher/inspiring more people to become teachers (even though money is also very important) is pride in the job, and pride in the job well done. It makes all the difference - in the teacher and the children. And I am positively convinced that seeing people who are proud of what they do, and who pour themselves wholeheartedly into developing their students' minds will make more of a difference in the children being taught and inspire more people - the right kind of people - to become teachers than anything. It will also improve the quality of teaching at many schools - more than increasing the salaries would.