Capeda: In teaching, why not get the best?

I found a shocking article in the commentary section of the Austin-American Statesman, titled "In teaching, why not get the best." In it, the author Esther J. Capeda of the Washington Post Writers group states that she believes teachers in America do not have to do much work to obtain their bachelor degree. She also goes on to make the claim that in most other professions, the tests are of much higher standards and more competitive. By saying that, Esther is referring to the fact that the test takers passing rates are at an all time low. Also, that the profession is one that is a "guaranteed-for-life job with no competition — for resources, pay incentives, or even glory — and little accountability for their performance in the classroom." What she means by "pay incentives" is that "Once you're a teacher, your pay goes up every year whether you're a superstar overachiever or completely ineffective." I believe Esther is way off. Although teachers do not have much competition in the everyday classroom, they do have competition to actually get hired in the first place. Teaching is one of the most popular professions for college students of today's society. Also, to graduate from any college institution you have to master more than just basic skills. To further my point and respond to Esthers claim about raises, I believe teachers are not in it for the money (which is her underlying message.) All you have to do flip on the TV, or open a newspaper to see all the budget cuts about to take place. If teachers were really money hungry they would not go into teaching in the first place! It is one of the lower paying salaries and averages under 45,000 yearly, not to mention it may get divided up into 12 not 9 months. Although Esther does have a valued opinion she fails to see that with teaching its almost like a "get what you paid for" kind of deal. Although the schooling isn't as prestigious as that for a doctor it shouldn't mean that you their less of a person. Also, since the schooling isn't as rigorous the pay should reflect that, which it does. Teachers don't make as much as doctors for a reason but it doesn't mean there job isn't as demanding. A lot of work that teachers do is outside of the classroom and on there own time so to say that a teacher has basically a "free ride" is not accurate and absurd.