An interesting post but the issue I have is your limited view of education and how that has skewed your thinking
I teach the following groups of students
1. Bright mathematicians who enjoy the subject and fill the room with their enthusiasm
2. Mediocre students who can get a B or a C but lack interest
3. Young people whose lives I change by supporting them in their quest to gain a grade C
4. Kids who have no interest in school and are pains
5. Student who really struggle with mathematical concepts and who benefit from appropriate work on maths life skills
As you can see ... I have far more opportunities for job satisfaction in the week than your article suggests ... I would agree that a student in group 2 would find education somewhat futile but they are not all that teaching is about