This is the stupidest quote ever. It's usually something anti-intellectual, anti-education, anti-government right wingers say to make themselves feel better. Not sure what category you fit into these days, I just can't stand that setiment. I've had tons of great teachers, plenty who worked in business/industry and are teachers to share their wisdom with new generations. Without teachers, the world would fall apart.
I agree with you, it was meant as a joke... I have several friends who are teachers, and have had several good teachers, one helped develop a drug that saved my life. My only problem is an institution that is dedicated to teaching kids to make right choices, and do the right things, made a pretty silly decision/mistake...