Why do teachers matter “most” and how do you expect to fulfill this role?

The statement "teachers matter most" seems like it should just be obvious, but I don't believe it is viewed as such in today's society. Society values the effort of the underdog, and therefore would most likely argue that the student matters most. After all, it is the student who has to do homework, the student who has to wake up and go to school, and the student who has to balance his or her schedule. Granted, these are all things teachers have to do, but students have the advantage of being more easily related to because a significant portion of society has been a student, but the same is not true for teachers. What people seem to miss is the fact that teachers are the tool through which learning occurs. With very few exceptions, students will not motivate themselves. Students do not keep themselves on task or remain self-motivated, these are functions of the teacher. Not only must the teacher teach the subject material, but the teacher has to keep control of the students both as a single entity, the classroom, and as individuals. Without teachers, accountability, order, or authority to education. Teachers matter most.