I sometimes wonder if I would make a good teacher. Teaching others is something I enjoy, I've worked with kids a few different times in my life and it seemed positive for everyone, and a college professor I admired said multiple times that I would make a good teacher.

I have several teachers in my family, and while they feel fulfilled teaching children (and I envy that fulfillment) , the pay is disrespectful. Furthermore, the administration above them seems like a special kind of hell that could only be spawned by public-private partnerships that neoliberalism loves. The past few years have been particularly rough, as bizarre alt-right politics from parents has to be constantly addressed (ranging anger about masks to anger about CRT to anger). Mix in the lingering anxiety of school shootings (and the its constant reminder by the presence of SROs, aka cops), and it really seems miserable.

I think teaching is one of the most important vocations in constructing and maintaining a healthy and vibrant society. But the invisible hand of the market has determined that I will make more money and have less stress by answering customer support emails. Seems whack