Teaching -- If you don't love it, leave it

But teachers aren't joking. That is exactly what they want: fewer weeks of classes, shorter days, higher salaries, better pensions, etc. The turkey, stuffing, and gravy.

And thanks to bone-crushing teachers' unions that strike fear into the hearts of cowardly Democratic politicians, teachers tend to get much of what they want -- particularly in deep-blue states like California and New York.

On one level, I can respect that. No one should have to work for less than what their skills, experience, talents and marketability can command. And just because society needs teachers more than we need butchers, bakers and candlestick makers doesn't mean we should shortchange these people and expect them to work for less than they deserve just because they fulfill an important public service by educating future generations.

But here's the thing. Being a teacher is a tough job. I get that. I've done it. I spent five years in the classroom, back in my old school district to support my eating habit when I was trying to make it as a writer, author and freelance journalist.

But the good news is that -- if you don't like this job -- you don't have to do it. Of course, someone has to do that job. Still, that "someone" doesn't have to be you.

Quit. Cash out. It's a free country. If you don't enjoy what you do for a living, or if you think you should be better paid for doing it, you should leave and go do something else. After all, if you believe you should be paid more, then you must think you have the education, skills and experience to merit the increase.

I've left jobs. Other times, I've had jobs leave me. I survived. You will, too. Remake yourself, rebrand yourself. Get more skills. Most of all, get your head right.

A good teacher has empathy, compassion and the ability to communicate. But they also have the right frame of mind. If you're missing that last part, get out of the classroom before you damage your students and your profession.

That's a lesson that many teachers never learn.

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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com. His daily podcast, "Navarrette Nation," is available through every podcast app.