I spent 30 years in accounting and finance before becoming a teacher. So, I have "real-world" experience to back up what I teach in the classroom and how I teach. I'm also not naive enough to think that a teacher should be evaluated by their students' performance.
BTW, your wrong on the compensation...one of the stupid parts of being a teacher. I could be the worst teacher on the planet and I would make the exact same as the best teacher in my district with the same education and experience. Yes, it's dumb.