[Sir Michael]

A fascinating topic, and very personal for me. I am a chemist in the wrong part of the country for scientists, and being unwilling to leave friends and family, I have chosen to "recareer" as they say (although I never really feel I had one to begin with) into teaching. I will teach physical science and chemistry in junior high or high school. I student teach in the fall, and I am currently finishing up a whirlwind and very intensive program of study at Sierra Nevada college.

All I can say is that they expect a lot from teachers, for not a lot of money. It is very tempting for teachers to get lazy and be mediocre, and that is what I have seen from observing about a dozen teachers at various schools as part of my education. The students, of course, are the losers.

I think one of the main jobs for a teacher of any subject is to show relevance. As a scientist, I will strive to show my students just where chemistry and physics fit in with their daily lives. In the short term, it is important to study hard and pay attention and learn in your classes in high school because that prepares you and makes college easier. Taking a broader view, science gives you a unique perspective and appreciation of how the world works.

In my current job, I am a data auditor - quality assurance for an EPA contractor. I use math daily, most of the chemistry and physics I learned in school, and English - reading, writing and speaking skills - are extremely important for my job. I am an amateur historian also, and I too believe that if you don't learn from history's mistakes, you are doomed to repeat them. Computers are also a hobby as well.

It was said before in other posts that the main point of school is to learn how to learn. To which I would add ...and find information. The main advantage I have over my uneducated friends is that when there is a question, I know where to look to find the answer, and they don't.

If you still don't see how education is important, consider the money issue. We all know of examples where so-and-so never went past 8th grade and he is a millionaire, but the truth is, the average college graduate makes a lot more than the person who never went to college. Plus in most companies, you have a much greater chance of advancement with a degree than without one.

When I was out of work four years ago when the lab I was working for closed, I got a temporary job as a janitor for a casino (I live in Vegas). The people I was working with had no education and had been working there for years. I since moved on, thank God, due to my degree. I mean, come on, is there a worse nightmare than cleaning toilets for the rest of your life?

In this technological age, it has never been more true that knowledge is power. It is no longer acceptable to just know a lot about one thing, you have to be everything to everyone to truly succeed in life. And that, Virginia, is why you should stay in school, go to college, work hard, be diligent, and learn as much as you can as fast as you can.