Teachers may not get enough credit, but they should never doubt that they make a difference.

This editorial didn’t get written in time for National Teacher Day on Tuesday, but it’s better late than never. Besides, just about any day seems like a good day to praise a group of people who get too little credit for the contribution they make to our society.

Unlike workers in many professions, school teachers never need to wonder whether they are making a difference. With every lesson they teach, every child they come in contact with, they have the potential to educate and nurture a developing person. Teachers can advise, direct and inspire hundreds of children during their careers and have the satisfaction of watching many of their former students grow into contributing adults.

Unfortunately, the teaching profession currently is facing something of a crisis. Because it involves working with children and has a schedule that suits many women with children of their own, teaching was traditionally a female career. Regrettably, its status as “woman’s work” also contributed to lower salaries for teachers. Over the years, the teaching profession has attracted many intelligent and motivated women, but in recent years, the many other career opportunities that have opened up for women have decreased the teaching pool.

One reason is salaries. Another reason is the general lack of respect our society affords its teachers. Rather than acknowledging teachers’ pivotal role in preparing the next generation a role that has far more dimensions now than a few decades ago too many people view teaching as a caretaking career filled with people who couldn’t compete in other professional fields.

Of course, the public expects teachers to attend to every child’s individual needs and prepare every student to succeed regardless of any problems that child might bring to school. Anyone who lacks respect for teachers should take over a class for a day or even an hour and see how difficult it is.

Lack of respect and lack of money are just two factors that have made many young people shy away from teaching as a career. Experts warn that as a generation of dedicated teachers nears retirement age, replacements will be hard to find. The state’s current fiscal situation is bound to be an additional deterrent. Teacher layoffs in many districts don’t provide much incentive for students choosing a career. Why complete a five-year education degree only to find that no jobs are waiting?

Many of us have a great appreciation for the memorable teachers who contributed to our lives and perhaps even led us to our current careers. We value them as individuals because they cared about us as individuals. If predicted teacher shortages come to pass and higher salaries are needed to attract good qualified teachers, our society finally may learn to place the proper priority and value on the teaching profession as a whole.