The United School Employees of Pasco has scheduled two showings, and the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association one, of a documentary that focuses on four educators who love their jobs but are forced to ask themselves whether they can continue to afford being teachers.

If you'd like to put it on your calendar, American Teacher, narrated by Matt Damon, will be shown for free at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at the River Ridge High center for the arts, and again at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Wesley Chapel High center for the arts. In Pinellas, the showing will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at Clearwater High.

Afterward, the USEP will have a panel discussion about the state of education today. From the flyer:

"Across the nation, millions of teachers are leaving their profession because of the high demands, long hours, little support, no prestige and low morale — and low pay. In the next ten years, more than half of the current 3.2 million teachers will be eligible to retire. How will we recruit and retain new teachers if conditions and compensation are not improved?"

Any good answers to that question?