McCain Says Schools Need Inspired Teachers

Sen. John McCain returned to his high school alma mater on Tuesday to reminisce about a teacher who inspired him and stress his support for weeding out the good from the bad in today's classroom instructors.

"We should reward the best of them with merit pay, and encourage teachers who have lost their focus on the children they teach to find another line of work," he said at Episcopal High School.

"Schools should compete to be innovative, flexible and student-centered institutions, not safe havens for the uninspired and unaccountable."

The stop was the second on McCain's weeklong campaign trip down memory lane, a series of speeches at locations that played an important role in his life. Speaking before an audience comprised largely of students, he fondly recalled William B. Ravenel, head of the English department and coach of the junior varsity football team in the 1950s.

"His influence in my life was more important and more benevolent than that of any person outside my family," the Republican presidential hopeful said.