re: Who garners more respect as an educator:the high school teacher or college prof?

As a semi pro student I absolutely agree. Forcing researchers to teach auditorium classes doesn't help anyone. But if you have someone who gives a damn about how people learn you can work magic.

And while grad assistants need to do something, that something isn't teaching freshmen. At UNO they're letting undergrads, as early as sophomore year, teach Chem labs.