Teachers are paid what the market will bear. Many women want to be teachers and so there is an oversupply of teachers. Administrators on the other hand are comparatively overpaid but not when you consider their private sector equivalents. That being said, it would behoove America to encourage better people to become teachers because what will make America great again is a well educated population.
Local DemoCrap candidate here in Colorado is stumping on "raising teacher's salaries" (doesn't mention the tax increases to pay for it). Years ago, I was a big fan of teachers. But as they have virtually all become staunch Lefties, no longer a fan. Like you said. "Overpaid, Commie indoctrinators" (my words). I have a friend who is a math teacher. We used to be tennis doubles partners. He even stood up at my wedding. I told him how much I HATE OBAMA.... and we no longer are on speaking terms. Sad.
Maybe in some states in the Northeast and Western coast; not in most of the country. The average salary of teachers is 35K to 50K across most of the southern and middle U.S. states. Teachers are required to work 10 months a year. Their pensions are self-funded in many states. Let's take a look at North Carolina. Teachers put 6% of their salaries each year towards their pensions. The state chips in nothing. It is entirely self-funded. Retirement is effectively based on the rule of 85. Your years of experience + age must be equal to 85 to consider retirement (with number of years being a min of 20). But you won't collect a full pension unless you wait at least until age 65. Do you want medical insurance during your retirement as a teacher? Well that will be $660 per month (20 years of experience required to even get this). Across most of the country the concept that teachers are overpaid is a fantasy.
Wow, you should see the ridiculousness that goes on in NY/NJ. Teachers and cops in the good towns (not NYC) absolutely fleece the system. My taxes are 32k/year, almost 2/3rds of that goes to the school system and EVERY YEAR it goes up. Administrators retiring here at 50 making six figures for the rest of their life and full healthcare and most move away south immediately and live like kings while we get to pay for it. Typical bankrupt blue state nonsense
I went to high school in NJ: one of the best school districts in the state. Experienced Teachers were paid about 50k/year. It was comparable to an entry level engineer and there were many teachers over the age of 50. They must have pissed all their salaries on lotto tickets or something.
#2 job that has the most millionaires are teachers. https://www.aol.com/2012/03/26/surprising-job-that-gets-many-americans-into-the-millionaire-clu/