More than 1,500 teachers in the Detroit Public Schools protested in a way that would show their unhappiness with the school district Wednesday.

They all called in sick.

More than 50 schools closed because of the "sick in," which teachers held because they believe their contract is unfair.

The teachers volunteered to work for free five days this year because the school district is struggling with money. But many teachers are upset that after they signed the contract, the district gave a pay raise to some school administrators.

Although the pay raise to administrators was needed because they agreed to work more than usual and hadn't gotten a pay raise, the protest highlighted many of the Detroit teachers' frustration.

The protest was a desperate measure to draw attention to their plight — namely their exasperation with the school district and their low-paying contracts.

Although it might have been unfair to students who couldn't go to school for a day, the teachers needed a drastic way to make people aware of their situation.

Teachers, particularly those in Detroit, don't get paid enough for the work they do.

To become a certified teacher takes about four years' worth of tuition plus unpaid student teaching and then investing in the classroom in which they teach because the school district doesn't provide everything. Most do it because they have a passion for teaching, but they still deserve to get paid enough to reflect how important their job is.

When we talk about the importance of funding higher education, we should remember the importance of funding K-12 schools as well.

Education is something everyone, including politicians, always says is the most important thing to be concerned about — it's needed to create new industries and higher-paying jobs.

But their rhetoric is not followed by action. There's a lack of cashflow to the school districts that need it.

If we want dedicated teachers who will educate generations of leaders and innovators, we need to pay them enough to make teaching a desirable occupation.

The city of Detroit is in financial trouble, and the school district has been affected.

But teachers deserve better and hopefully can negotiate a contract that more adequately compensates them for the hours and dedication they put in and the sacrifices they make.

Hopefully they caught the attention of those who can help them and can afford to get them back in the classroom where they are desperately needed.