Sounds like you think teachers are paid to raise Alaska's kids. And, in fact, they do spend more time with the children than most parents do which is why I think they should get paid the current rate. Teachers aren't fighting for more pay, as much as fighting for better support to do their job. They get paid much less than administrators, district personnel and superintendents, but they spend the most time with the kids and take the most blame when students don't perform. Teachers want to improve the system just as much as non-teachers, but they need help.