Considering Bankruptcy

I am soooo glad to know that this problem is bigger than just my wife and me. We are both educators, and together share between $70K and $80K in student loan debt. We began this Christmas holiday in an attorney's office for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy consultation. We are seriously contemplating going through with it just to protect our assets.

Roland Wilson,
middle school choral director,
Memphis, Tenn.

 Thanks for The Advocacy

Your article stuck a chord with me. I am sure that it did with many other teachers, as well. I just finished my first year teaching. I have over $35,000 in student loans. I owe about $10,000 more that I made in one year! Thank you so much, NEA, for your hard work for new teachers. Please continue to push for an increase in teacher's salaries. We desperately need it and you advocating for us!

Brandi Sheridan 

 An Investment, Not Debt

I am writing to offer another perspective on educational debt. After years of school obtaining my bachelor's degree, teaching credential, and master's degree, I accumulated over $40,000 in student loans. However, I don't look at it as debt, I look at it as an investment in my future. Some people might think nothing of spending that kind of money on a car, a recreational vehicle, or a vacation. Who can argue that one's education is the most important investment of them all? I don't regret taking out student loans at all. I gladly write that check every month and it is a reminder that I followed my dream and am living it! Oh, and by the way, the interest is all tax-deductible.

Kristina M. Bogner,
high school teacher,
Corona, Calif. 

 'Stop Complaining and Start to Work'

A small business person, farmer, merchant, professional opens or buys a business and goes into debt. A college student does the same thing, and both should pay the debt back with interest. I do not hear many business people crying about the debt they owe, they just work and pay it back. So why does today's college student think they are privileged or special in the world? Get to work, pay the debt, live within your ability to survive and be happy. If you can't do that, don't teach -- go into some other profession.

I survived a teacher's salary for 35 years, both the wife and I retired comfortably, our children both graduated from college -- both in the area of education, one has an MA degree, too, and no debt. Work, study and good economic ability to manage their funds helped. Stop complaining and start to work.
 
Charles De Vore,
Iowa 

 Teacher Taken for Granted

I attend Western Kentucky University full-time. I have a husband, two children, a mortgage, two car payments, and I am frightened at what my student loan payments will be once I graduate this year. I am a senior, so it is looming over my head constantly. I have about $30,000 at this point. I am 28 years old. I just hope and pray that the low-income county I live in will hire me and forgive my federal Perkins and Stafford loans. If this happens, then my story won't be as grim as some of the others in the article.

I think that our government take advantage of our nations' educators. The nation takes us for granted. It takes a unique and exceptional individual to educate the young minds of today. I do not think that this is realized. I love teaching and if I go broke doing it, then so be it... But our government MUST act now to increase teacher's salaries and benefits.

Emily Campanell,
Senior-Western Kentucky University,
Student NEA Member,
KEA-SP Student Member

 Paraprofessional Abandons Plans to Teach

I recently read your article. It unfortunately reinforces my conclusion that I will not be seeking any more education to get a teaching degree. I have been a paraeducator for the past seven years working with severe ED/BD students in a special school program. I have recently been trying to research ways that I might be able to gain my teaching certificate. I am 46 years old, I don't qualify for a Pell Grant, and there is no guarantee that I might be awarded a scholarship.

After looking into the special-education programs, it is estimated that I could graduate in four years with a BA, but I would also be in debt around $40k. It just doesn't make sense for me to go into debt for that amount of money for a starting salary of $26,000 (Utah). I have decided to not further my education because of the amount of debt that I would incur. It just isn't worth it.

I love what I do and will continue to work where I am currently. I am heartbroken that I cannot further my education because of rising education costs. It is so sad that a country that has so many freedoms and opportunities is slowly making it too difficult for those willing to put forth the effort to better not only their lives, but the lives of future generations.

Tamera Ortega
West Jordan, Utah