I don't know about the k-12, but the public university is a dirty little secret as well.
Here in my department we are interviewing for several full time, tenure track positions.
Each position is a min. 9 hour load for $67,000 and the full bene package.
So basically if you have a Ph.D in hand, you can teach 3 courses a semester and live pretty decent.
Teach 9am, 10am and 11am MWF and have T & Th off to take the kids fishing.
And take summer off too, while you're at it.
And Winter Break, Spring Break, and a half dozen holidays off as well.
You'll also get a modest cost of living adjustment, free tuition for kids and spouse, free parking, free gym, travel/research expense account, and a nice little office with a view.
Show up by 8:50, leave for lunch, and spend the afternoon complaining about the evil government...hehe.
Oh, sadly you may have to attend the committee meetings occassionally. Hope that's not a deal breaker...
And if you can publish something decent in the next few years you'll be granted tenure, a $10-20,000 raise and we can never fire you.
Honestly, when you consider the time it takes for MBA, JD, or Ph.D. and then consider the job opportunities and lifestyle.... The professor really has nothing to whine about. While young lawyers are out there punching each other in the face for clients, and recent MBA's are working the BK Drive-Through, a Ph.D (in a decent field) can live the life of Riley on the taxpayer's dime.
If you are tenure-track, you had better publish or get grants.