grgr wrote:
I don't think that they're overpaid or underworked. Many teachers just feel they are "grossly" underpaid and overworked. If they left it as, "teaching isn't the hardest, but it's not the easiest either. While my pay may not be huge, when taking into account my benefits, I have a very hard time complaining", I wouldn't be annoyed. On top of that, people post quotes implying that teaching is more demanding than being a doctor - it's a joke.
As for why I didn't go into teaching - I debating going into teaching when selecting a college, but I felt my talents would be wasted as a teacher. That's the truth, and it's a shame. If there was a system that rewarded the good teachers and punished the bad, I would have been far more inclined to go into teaching.
This is a totally different tune than the one you were playing earlier. You chimed in saying that teachers had "negligable accountability" -- but of course we who teach know that accountability is built into the job.
Teaching can be really pleasant if you do it well. And it is probably the worst profession in the world when done badly.
I really don't think that doctors and lawyers, etc., have tons more accountability than teachers. But hey, I'm not on the inside. There are, I'm sure great docs and lawyers who are awesome and earn every penny. Just as in the case of teachers. But there are a lot who are just going through the motions and getting paid fat cash for it.