> That's a salary better than the national average. Not only that, but that assumes single income, with mandatory union membership and three months of vacation

> That's a salary better than the national average. Not only that, but that assumes single income, with mandatory union membership and three months of vacation a year, during which time one can pursue higher education, work a side job or relax. That's a better deal than most others get at the finger-chopping factory or slaving away in a call center. Thanks to recent education initiatives over the last few decades everything is about teaching to a handful of standardized tests so the job is automated to the point of being glorified babysitting anyway. It's a cushy gig with benefits most would kill for. I don't have sympathy for teachers anymore.