attackfish

That's so funny, I was just talking about this with a man I just had dinner with today. (Maybe I had this conversation on my brain, subconsciously.) He works as a language instructor for both children and adults, and I asked why he preferred teaching children even though adult instruction was so much more lucrative. He gave basically the answer you did--that he enjoyed the kids' company better, particularly liked how open they were about their emotions, and felt he could make a real difference in their lives.

Sometimes it seems there are only two extremes of public school teachers--either the really bright and dedicated ones who would be there regardless of the conditions, or the ones whose skill levels and brutally conventional minds are actually commensurate with the low pay. Guess which type far outnumbers the other. Sigh.