Takayama sure is a slacker hmm. Makes ya wonder why he even became a teacher
I bet a good number of kids going towards the teaching route didn't necessarily make their best choice, or made the least bad choice out of possible choices for them, etc. so they end up jaded. Maybe that's the case with our guy, haha, an infinity of possibilities :)
On the contrary, I think most aspiring teachers (in the U.S. at least) go into the field because they're passionate about teaching. I know a family of teachers (including my oldest friend), who have taught at all levels, and they go through a lot for their kids. Some teachers end up getting burnt out, but I have no doubt they were all passionate about teaching when they started.
It's certainly not a job that pays even close to commensurate with its value or it's workload. Nobody goes into teaching to make an easy buck, especially since it's not easy to get certified.
Honestly, judging from all the war stories I've heard, I think the main thing that wears teachers down is having to deal with parents and co-workers. :P