In many cultures, a teacher stands nearly equal to a minister as a leader in a community.

For example, teachers in Japan are held in high esteem because of their position in the Confucian hierarchy of status and authority.

Even earlier in this nation&8217;s history, Americans took care of their teachers, giving them shelter and helping feed them during the Great Depression.

Educating children seems primary.

What a different picture comes to us now in the post-modern 21st century.

On Tuesday, teachers from various parts of Alabama went to the Statehouse to ask the Alabama Legislature to quickly pass the education budget.

Many of these teachers had received pink slips because of lack of money for school districts.

Fortunately, here in Selma and Dallas County, teachers are in a holding pattern. Nobody has been laid off.

But even our school districts can&8217;t hold on forever.

Gov. Bob Riley has called a special session, which began Tuesday, for the Legislature to deal specifically with funding education.

State Sen. Hank Sanders, who represents Dallas County, is one of the most powerful men in the Legislature.

He has vowed to see an education budget through.

We certainly hope he has the political strings to join both sides in the highly partisan Senate.

Members of both chambers in the Legislature should put aside their differences, quit bickering and positioning and get some work done.

After all, taxpayers foot the bill for this special session, which will cost at least $100,000.

All this fuss and nothing.

What a lack of respect for our teachers.

What a lack of respect for our children.