Fresh out of college I taught in Watts area of Los Angeles. Two years later relocation to Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe my job search revealed I would have to go back to school and take Latin if I wanted to teach in public school there in 1970.

Zimbabwe is in the news - teachers, if they do show up now have less than a high school education in many cases and there are no funds for the classroom either. Schools were excellent in 1970 as was healthcare and infrastructure.

Pay equity: the male student who was in the job I took when he went back to university made more than I made in same position with my 4 year degree and my job, submitting pool plans to the local public works from the swimming pool company I worked for paid the same wage as I would have received as a teacher.

My career went toward real estate and finance and construction rather than toward teaching after returning to USA.

Lessons from above: Curriculum requirements to teach need to reflect the education students will receive and be up to date on what future adults will need to know.

Federal and state requirements also need to be flexible enough that teachers can be recruited for the public schools. AAUW needs to continue to support realistic education goals for our schools. Latin does help us to understand our own English language. I wonder if it is still required to teach in some countries.

Karen Jackle
Huntington Beach CA