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<p>That depends on what one’s tolerance level is for certain aggravations which come with the K-12 teaching profession. Among the few I’ve witnessed as a student and hearing from several friends who work(ed) in K-12:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Having to work as behavioral monitor as well as teacher of a given subject with the former taking the bulk of class time if there are even a handful of disruptive/disrespectful students. </p></li>
<li><p>So-called greater “free-time” after each school day and during summers is often a mirage…especially considering almost all grading, essay feedback, class preparation, continuing ed requirements, etc are fulfilled during that “free-time”. However, because almost all of that is invisible to most people…it is often ignored unless someone has friends/relatives who are actual K-12 teachers. </p></li>
<li><p>Dealing with aggravating parents who feel their child(ren) could do absolutely no wrong, take little/no responsibility for their kids’ poor behavior/inadequate performance, and will use their legal/political clout to get their child(ren) unmerited special privileges(i.e. An A for C or lower level work). Associated with that is being held responsible for student underperformance despite the fact that parental/societal responsibilities for them are often downplayed/effectively censored from public discourse. Odd considering that IMHO…parents and society each bear at least the same, if not greater responsibility for the student academic/behavioral performance. </p></li>
<li><p>Dealing with micromanaging educrats and board members who may have had extremely limited time in the classroom…assuming they’ve actually had any teaching experience to speak of…</p></li>
<li><p>Violence committed against them by students…a phenomenon that has been doing on for the last few decades.</p></li>
<li><p>Being in a career path that is often perceived by most IME as mostly a dumping ground for academically mediocre students with a minority of high academic achievers. The latter tends to get burned out or otherwise conclude there are better career opportunities with higher pay, better working conditions, and less aggravations within the first 5 years.</p></li>
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