Their View: Actions of few must be curtailed in important vocation -

It seems a day seldom goes by we're not reporting on alleged misconduct by an educator somewhere in our nation. Misconduct by a few teachers has given a black eye to a profession that historically has been a respected one.

In the past, some boards of education often swept such misconduct under the rug by allowing the teacher in question to resign, rather than fire him/her. By letting the teacher stay in the profession and possibly be hired by another, unsuspecting district, they irresponsibly put other students at risk.

The fact is, 99 percent of our educators are good teachers; but the few male and female instructors who turn up in the headlines and handcuffs because of inappropriate behavior are damaging the reputations of all educators.

We are encouraged to see this problem being addressed at the local, state and federal levels. Our teachers have a most important function in our society instructing our children and providing role models, and we should utilize every tool we can to ensure we are weeding out those who are not mature and psychologically fit enough to be entrusted with this important responsibility.

- Hamilton Journal Star