Your story is very disheartening, Grey.
I hate to say this, but I found (after 31 years in the profession) that part of the problem is it's so female-centric. Women tend to have a hard time discussing difficult issues in a non-threatening manner and I often felt there was the drama of middle school going on with the faculty. I know most of this is because of the way we are socialized, but after the umpteenth time of being told "you think like a man," (huh?) I started wondering what this meant.
And, btw, I was a special ed teacher for 20 years, and then became an English teacher for the last 11. I was there for the kids and really didn't give a f*** about anything else. I was lucky that the last 2 districts I worked in were outstanding and I ended my career working for people I really liked. Part of what I like about being a therapist is that while I am part of a team in a loose fashion, I work on my own and set my own schedule.
And I can go to the bathroom and drink coffee whenever I want!