You've heard the expression that "those who can, do and those who can't teach".  Well, it really ticks me off.  Teaching is not an afterthought that you casually tinker with in your free time.  Teaching is an all-consuming passion that must be sustained by the love of the students, the discipline, and the classroom or it will not be sustained at all.  The thought process that leads folks to the conclusion that teachers are just washed up whatevers is flawed at the heart. 

First of all, it is very difficult, if not impossible in some states, to make the switch from the "regular" world to the teaching field without extensive training and many hours logged observing, student-teaching, and preparing.  It's not something you can resort to if you try to make it big in one world and fail miserably.  You have to purposely pursue a career in education.  Secondly, teaching requires a passion that bridges many arenas in life: discipline, kids, classroom, etc.  You can't be successful or sustainable if you don't love what you teach, who you teach, or where you teach. 

There are some teachers who are so consumed by what they teach that they literally sacrifice their lives to their students.  Locally, a middle-aged band director began experiencing health problems in the spring but insisted on returning to work as soon as he was physically able.  Some cynics may suggest it was because he didn't have enough sick days or his benefits would expire but his colleagues and students know it is because he loves what he does.  Find a teacher who loves what they do and offer some encouragement today.