For weeks I have fought the urge to reply to your disparaging comments about the education profession, but your recent comments have compelled me to do so. Your generalizations of the entire profession are outrageous and incredible. To blame the school district and the teachers for the truancy problem in our schools is both irresponsible and misplaced. The main objective of the educational institution is to educate our children, and to supply them with the tools necessary to succeed in college and the work force. However, it is the responsibility of the parents to instill a sense of responsibility and discipline in their children which makes them want to attend classes, and not cut class to grab a slice of pizza or take a joy ride to Pryibil Beach.

With respect to educating our children, I think the Glen Cove teachers are doing an excellent job. Perhaps you overlooked the article on the first page of the Sept. 17, 1998 issue of the Record Pilot which commended Glen Cove High School, and American hHistory teacher John Kessler, placing it "among the very best schools in the nation...public or private." Are you aware of exactly how many AP classes are offered by Glen Cove? These classes are taught at a college level, and by receiving a score of 3 (out of 5) or higher, students can receive as much as four college credits per AP class! One hundred percent of Mr. Kessler's students received the requisite 3, and 50 percent received a perfect score of 5. Is this indicative of a teacher who does not care about his students, but only his contract? I think not.

The music program in the Glen Cove schools is second to none. Both the Middle and High School Concert and Jazz Bands place first in every competition they enter. These groups practice after school hours and at night to achieve this high caliber. Both Messrs. Reardon and Roselli are working under an austerity budget, and without contracts, yet they still find the time to train these hardworking students to be fine musicians. Have you ever attended a Masquers performance? These high school students have been mistaken for Broadway caliber actors and actresses. Yes, much of this can be attributed to individual talent, but it is the guidance of Mr. Zurbrick which helps them realize their potential.

Glen Cove High School's DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) has been recognized as the finest chapter in New York State for the past several years. More of the state officers elected have been from Glen Cove than any other chapter in the state. DECA members work around the city in beautification efforts, raise money for various charities and manage the school store. DECA writes its own column, and publishes it in the Record Pilot to inform the City of Glen Cove residents of what the club accomplishes. Mrs. Antonette Silvestri, chapter advisor, has been recognized by New York State DECA as an outstanding advisor, and has received awards and accolades for the same. She too works without a contract, but takes the time and effort to teach students about civic responsibility, business management and the rewards of hard work and perseverance.

Glen Cove Schools also boast fine athletic teams and extra curricular clubs, all coached by Glen Cove teachers. These fine teachers are too numerous to list, but deserve to be mentioned and saved from the lynching that is being spewed on the pages of the Record Pilot. Mr. Schor, if you have a problem with a specific teacher, or number of teachers, that is fine and completely within your right. But please do not attack an entire profession of people who care about your children. Teaching is a difficult profession to master, but one which is extremely rewarding. Few people can go home from work every day and know that his or her job is positively influencing the lives of children. Few professions allow those who practice them to see the look on a child's face when he is finally able to solve a math problem which was once impossible to him, or to feel the pride the band and drama students feel when they hit the perfect performance. This is what teaching is all about, and they deserve all of the respect in the world for what they do.

Kathy Cimonetti
Class of 1993