I think there is a miscommunication and misinterpretation when it comes to this topic. It’s similar to when some women claim there is no harder job than being a mother. Depending on how much effort one puts into teaching or raising children (and depending on those children), of course it can be very difficult and time consuming. What is being criticized by others is the low standards that these jobs entail, not an indictment on those who give it their all and provide and invaluable service as you seem to do. Being a teacher in today’s society is an incredibly low bar. Only a shallow education is required, and thanks to teachers’ unions, only the most egregious of acts get any kind of reprimand (and only if they are caught in the most obvious manner). There is room to have an immense respect for educators who buck this trend to really work their butts off to teach as well as truly reach their kids, and to have disdain for the nature of the profession that allows and even often rewards laziness, ignorance, and indoctrination. There’s nothing inherently worthy of praise or distinction in being a teacher in itself, as they very often have the option of putting in the least amount of effort. It is very admirable on the other hand, when there are those who share a passion for teaching and truly put in their best work to help children learn, despite being able to take the easy way out.