By Brett Willyerd

Mr. Earl instructs the class to work through the rest of the division problems from the math lesson as he takes a seat at his desk in the front corner of his classroom.

He is looking through papers when Ricky wanders, unexcused, up to him and whispers in his ear. With a welcoming smile, Mr. Earl allows Ricky to place his worn blue sneakers, with a big "S" stitched on the back, on top of his right knee. He ties Ricky's right shoe, then his left. After a quick smile of thanks, Ricky quickly returns to his desk.

Steven Earl is a fourth-grade teacher at Adams Elementary School in Logan, Utah. He teaches 32 children in a small trailer classroom that is adjacent to the school. Earl has been teaching for 12 years in the Logan City School District. He received his bachelor's degree at Utah State University in Elementary Education, followed by a master's degree in Instructional Technology. After receiving a professional certificate in school administration, he spent seven years as principal at Woodruff and Ellis elementaries in the Logan school district. Earl then made the decision to return to teaching.

"I decided I missed the children and wanted to go back to teaching," he said. "I wanted to go back to what I love."

Earl, like most teachers, did not get into the profession for the money or the fame because there are little of both. Teachers are the forgotten heroes of our time. They are the brave individuals who work for low pay in sometimes-high stress conditions to fertilize their students' minds with the basic knowledge of the world, with the hope of planting that one seed that will one day help their students thrive in society.

"My dad says they shouldn't get paid very much because they don't do anything," said Sally, a fourth-grade student in Earl's class.

The Legislature seems to agree. Teachers in Utah are facing trying times with increasing enrollment and public school education being cut every year. Throughout the last two budget years, schools have taken a $ 38.8 million cut, the Deseret News reported. Educators are feeling frustrated with the fact that Utah has the largest class sizes and lowest per student spending in the country, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune. The Utah Board of Education claims that Utah will continue to have inadequate supplies and instructional materials, and be provided with little support services such as elementary counselors and curriculum specialists if budget cuts continue. Utah ranks 36th in the nation for average salary for schoolteachers at $36,441- the national average is $43,335. Despite the thought times teachers are still getting the job done.

When Earl began teaching in the fall of 1981, he took a $1,000 pay cut from his previous position at the parks and recreation department as a janitor. Also, the custodian of his school was making $3,000 more than him. In his 17 years in the education field he has seen little change. The salaries have risen with economic changes, per student cost has not changed much and teachers are still using personal money to provide the best possible education for their students in any given school year. Last year, Earl dipped into $475 of his personal money.

"I do it for the kids- it's all for the kids. You don't have to go into your pocket, but I choose to," Earl said

He has faced class sizes as big as 39 students in a fifth-grade class in 1990.

His current class of 32 is an average size in Utah public schools.

"It's crowded, and it takes more time because he has to work with so many students," said Alex, a student in Earl's class.

This fourth-grade class may not have much room to operate with a chalkboard up front, 32 desks in the center of the room, a teacher's desk in the front corner, and filing cabinets behind the teacher's desk, next to the one window. There are also three computers on tables on the other side of the classroom in the small trailer, which on the inside appears to be like any other classroom, but mini-sized. Even with the small space, this class seems to get along with the help of Earl and his philosophies that hang over the front chalk board- "You Never Fail Until You Stop Trying," and right next to it "Respect Brings Respect." He feels that first you have to put an effort into the kids and build up trust with them, and then the respect will follow.

Well into his 50s, Earl's dark hair has given way, not completely, to a more silver color. In his dark pinstripe suit, 6 foot 8 inches Earl could be mistaken for a retired NBA player as he walks up and down the hallways. But instead he is a hero that has been recognized as the 1991 Distinguished Educator by the Utah State Legislature. He has also been Who's Who Among America's Teachers for several years, and has been awarded by the Utah Education Association for his Professionalism. Despite all of the recognition, awards are not what Earl is after.

"I just love it," he said with a big smile on his face, "It's not work to me. I thoroughly enjoy it."

When asked about his worst times as a teacher, he never gave any indication that there were bad times. Money is always sparse and attitudes of the children have changed, but for him, coming to school everyday is the most rewarding opportunity that he could ever have.

"I have had 15 years teaching, and I don't think there has been any child I have not reached," he said.

Teachers in this country are heroes that go unrecognized year after year. In spite of budget cuts, low pay and large class sizes, teachers still teach and help students reach their full potential. When asked why anyone should become a teacher, Earl said with a huge smile, "It is the most rewarding career there is. No other career can give you the satisfaction teaching does."

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