Bob, the perception that teachers only work when they are with students is incredibly wrong.  Teachers work prior to the school day starting and the majority of teachers will not finish work until 5 or 6 each evening.  Add to that weekends, evenings, part of the school holidays for the supervision and management of extracurricular activities.  Professional development is required but not often funded within the school week.    Historically, teaching has been seen as a nurturing role, traditionally associated with women and as a result, under renumerated.

Deborah, great post.  I've found that so many teachers teach because of their vocation for it rather than it just being a job.