If you're 22 fresh out of university with 3 kids, that's a choice that you've made.

But for the same reason people argue against the 15 dollar minimum wage for the people who didn't make the "right choices" and are working 9-12 dollar an hour jobs with 3 kids, we can't just mandate higher pay. Being a teacher isn't easy, but neither is dealing with customers 40 hours a week in retail making 10 bucks an hour.

As for the losing you for being unable to figure out how to teach k-12 without a degree in education...

Are you a teacher?

If not, do you think you would be unable to get a curriculum book, take a few hours and design a lesson on say the workings of a cell? Even if you haven't seen cell biology since high school or Bio101? I'm willing to bet you could.

It would be tough the first year, the same way it is for teachers coming directly out of school their first year. But you'd very quickly figure it out.

I can agree that being a teacher is not the best job, without even looking at the pay. I just don't think teachers realize how good they have it in many ways. From benefits to vacation to perfect time off for children.