Ahhhh, I see you want to nuance the term to a 'down hard, got my arm shot off and still kept going' type thing. Your quick jump to take down everyone in a group because you detest the group in general is so, so progressive liberal in the way it comes out.
Many teachers are in what many would consider untenable positions and they keep plugging along and try to bring good, moral values to our kids because they really care. In doing so, they open themselves up to criticism, harassment, possible loss of job and even legal actions. The go through each day with "kids" who are right at home on the streets and among gangs and physical danger is not unheard of. Yet they still persist, despite what is a truly hostile environment. While it was at a college instead of a lower level school, that old professor who sacrificed himself is an example of how some teachers actually care more for others than for themselves. There are also documented cases of teachers getting guns from their vehicles to stop a gunman. While they don't show up in the national news, there are teachers who put their honor, reputation and physical safety on the line every day because they care.
Tell me where I "Cheapen the term". It is you who does the cheapening.
If you want to be so petty as to deprive them of accomplishments and fortitude that you probably lack yourself, fine, but try to keep the sneer out of it - those who actually sneer at others are usually more deserving of the sentiment than the targets.
There is a principle which is a bar against all information,
which is proof against all arguments,
and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-
that principle is contempt prior to investigation.
Herbert Sencer
Your ad hominem attack, speaking of “so, so progressive liberal”, did nothing but show your inability to debate.
Progressive and liberal mean the same in today’s terms.
You are quick to idolize teachers. I am not. The majority are liberals intent on forcing their liberal “values” on kids. So spare me the “try to bring good, moral values to our kids” nonsense. The majority do the exact opposite. I’m not nuancing anything. You can call whatever you want a “hero”, and you are still going to be wrong.