My dad, a teacher now nearing retirement, expressed during the early days of covid that schools were primarily government-provided daycare services. His concern was that the economy would crumble if schools were kept closed. Then the American Federation for Teachers expressed a strong desire to keep schools closed for longer and he quickly reversed course. Even within the system it's abundantly clear that no one is sure of the role their profession plays, but it unfortunately often comes down to politics rather than the needs of students and society. I agree that such a conversation is needed, but I suspect that it would quickly devolve to the same vapid talking points.