The title of this post refers to respect. I have spent a fair amount of time on the editorial pleas for "returning to respecting teachers" that have filled editorial pages and newspaper websites around the state since June 6. I have said essentially what Szczykutowicz argues in this piece. Teachers came under heavy criticism for not realizing they were largely spoiled in what they had been receiving and acted exactly like spoiled children when it was taken away.

Professionals don't behave the way teachers, as a whole(yes, that's unfair to some teachers who didn't behave that way) during the Act 10 debate. After a 16 month temper tantrum, NOW we're supposed to go back to respecting teachers? Sorry, it doesn't work that way. I'm speaking from personal experience here; when you act publicly in a way that causes people to question your professionalism it takes years to earn back their respect. And that's assuming it's obvious you learned your lesson. In the case of the teaching profession in Wisconsin, it's not at all obvious they've learned exactly how shameful their behavior has been. Until it is, they will have a difficult time building respect for their profession.