The assumption was you worked in Granite. If not, I can't speak to yoru pay.
Either way it is wrong that a high school student reads at an 8th grade level. But isnt the question why does he/she read at that level. Just a few possibilities 1. the child isnt interested in reading, 2.No one encouraged reading at home, 3. A learning disability such as deslexia which makes reading difficult. Interesting that nowhere in your post did you even open the door to the idea that he was failed by the educators who worked with him. See what I was trying to say? Like Hillary said, "it takes a village".
I don't recall saying you called anyone names.
I'll explain the "worth" thing one more time so you'll better get it. There are teachers who will never be paid what they are worth. They care about their kids more than themselves. They're true professionals. Conversely, and you'll have to admit this, there are teachers who teach the same class for thirty years never changning their approach. They go up the pay scale and never change a thing. They, in my opinion, are overpaid.
My complaint is that people who have no idea what goes on and who insist on soley blaming teachers for the state of education dont know what they are talking about.
I don't think anyone here blames the teacher solely for what is going on. Unless you're totally new here, you would know I have battled to defend the teachers on some of these isssues. However, your claim that someone has to have spent time in the classroom before they criticize is totally without merit. All people are entitled to their opinion, even about your profession. Ever criticize a cop? A lawyer? A sales person?
Finally, yes I would defend my profession. However, I would open the door to the fact that some of the critics might be right. It's part of being professional.