Regarding the letter "Manatee school savings":

Volunteers will perform my job as a teacher aide every day, 7:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.? Do people realize we are responsible for the students' safety before, during and after school five days a week?

Paraprofessionals (also known as teacher aides) have many vital duties, such as tutoring struggling students, bolstering children's self-esteem and supporting teachers in any way that can benefit the students. In addition, some of us have even been known to perform lifesaving CPR on students who were choking in the cafeteria. We are paid little but perform big.

Eliminating our jobs won't save that much money, but it will make a huge difference in the lives of the children who will wonder where we are. So if people are truly concerned about the education and welfare of the children in our community, I hope they will consider the value of teacher aides in our classrooms.

Rhonda Chaykin-Adams