Good teachers can change lives. I think it should be a priority to pursue and compensate good teachers well. The problem is obviously with unions protecting bad teachers forcing the average salary to be lower. If teachers want 70k+, each and every one should be at least close or on par with some of the better teachers I had growing up.

6th grade and up, I don't think teaching is easy. And that's really when you hit the years where you can begin to make a big difference in kids lives.

Who doesn't want our schools filled with great teachers? Give incentives (pay) for great, motivated teachers to come back to and stay in the field, and I think that would be an excellent start at revamping our education system.