Well of course teachers are vital, but so are many, many other professions and occupations. I assume you would also agree that a healthy society should have qualified health care professionals, quality plumbers, knowledgeable electricians, competent engineers, etc, etc.
Without these, and other, key functions also working well...teachers don't have a building to go to, or electricity to power their laptop, etc, etc.
While I do agree and empathize with a lot of what the teachers here have to say, I also see some evidence of exaggerated self importance and "woe is me" attitude, as though their profession is the only one experiencing stress and difficulties.
It is rough for a RANGE of otherwise good people these days...not just teachers.