[piercehawkeye45]

I agree that is a problem but I would think that is a reaction to larger issues?

One reason teachers will never be highly paid or respected in our societies is that we value economic output over investment. We want the "best" financial bankers, doctors, and engineers, not teachers. Teachers don't immediately produce anything. However, I don't feel this the main reason. I feel people push all their frustrations of our educational systems on teachers (justified or not) since they are easiest to blame. A better functioning educational system would lead to more respected teachers.

This also brings up the question of whether our educational system is bad because our best potential teachers don't become teachers? While better teachers could do a much better job at teaching, even under the current constraining conditions, I think culture is a bigger problem. In a better culture, I believe our current teachers could become much more efficient.