There were some social problems when I attended school from 1955 through 1971, but something has gone completely awry with the educational system in the USA. Some of my colleagues who are college professors have expressed concern regarding the lower quality of the students they instruct compared to earlier times.

I do think we need to return to excellence in education, higher academic standards, and discipline in the classroom.

I was a decent kid, but I got my share of swats on the bottom with a paddle in the principal's office, beginning in the 1st grade and ending as an 8th grader. As I reflect back on those times, I deserved what I got and I am glad I had the "direction" I received.

I had the utmost respect for my teachers, even the very few I did not like. I had profound respect for my instructors in Army Boot Camp even though I was much more educated than they were. However, I learned more about life from them that was just as valuable, and in some ways more valuable, as academic knowledge.

I would suggest you find some way to stay in teaching in whatever capacity you can. One of the worse falsehoods about teaching is the cliché: teachers are teachers because they cannot do anything else.

Good luck Dan