IRT to the "demonizing" of the profession -  

The teaching profession is mostly filled with hardworking, dedicated teachers, even some conservatives. But it's not 100%. That reputation you speak of did not just leap from someone's imagination.  Teachers have done some things over the past 30 years, well publicized, that contribute to the stereotype.  Extended strikes, poor results, abusing kids, difficult to terminate, even enlisting kids to leave class & march for their grievances. Actions that make many teachers, I'm sure, do a facepalm everytime they hit the news cycle.  Not exactly the mark of the professionals they want to be compared with - lawyers, doctors, etc.  

Behavior of parents & students, with the complicity & forebearance of administrators, has greatly contributed to the perception that becoming a teacher isn't worth it, even moreso than stereotypes like the above.  I've spoken with some kids who would make awesome teachers, & this is their reason to do something else.