I've had awesome teachers. I've had just as many really shitty teachers though. And lots of simply mediocre. I totally support higher wages for teachers, but honestly less in sympathy for today's teachers and more to make it a viable career choice and attract some actual professionals. So many teachers seem to only want the job for the authority (over kids? I don't get it), and only get it because the school district is desperate.

I don't know if raising wages would fix the problem, I just know that it would increase the pool of applicants, allowing the school district to be more selective.