Does the teaching profession stand apart from all others?

Consider the old adage that if you catch a fish for someone you feed the person for a day, but if you teach the person to fish you provide a lifetime of meals.

Now look at it from the fisherman’s point of view. Supplying people with fish provides a lifetime of income, but each person the fisherman teaches to fish subtracts from the income.

Teachers give away a part of themselves in a way that others do not. Others may provide material or time, but the teacher gives away a part of what distinguishes the teacher from others.

It would then follow that it must take a very special type of person to be a really good teacher, especially considering that even in societies where teachers are accorded respect, they are still not paid very well.

This is something that has been kicking around in my head for quite some time. I would appreciate you thoughts on it.