I've been a high school teacher and a waitress, and the jobs have a lot in common. Most of your customers are good, but the few crappy ones make the job unpleasant at times. Management is overworked and expects miracles from you. You are on your feet all day, make low wages, and have to innovate constantly. The difference is: teachers get benefits, slightly better pay, and need an absurd amount of education (including the dread continuing education). Unfortunately, servers and teachers get about the same amount of status in the US, which is a horrible commentary on what is happening to public education. The job has always been tough, but lately it's moved into abusive territory. It could be mostly fixed in two simple ways: fewer students (like under 30 per class) and freedom to design curriculum. The first part would require money; the second part would require decent management.