Insight from a former teacher: one of the issues here might be the approach.

For many of these people, teaching is their IDENTITY, not just a job. There is a weird, cultish thing with teachers that will have them completely committed to that world heart and soul, even though it abuses them and burns them up like firewood. I didn't realize this until after I'd left it.

The cognitive dissonance is real because they believe they are doing GOOD. Take that away, and many of these people lose the only compass they have. Connecting their identity/desire to do good to things that are obviously wrong and immoral destroys their moral center, and many will deflect simply as a defense of their identity, not because they want to defend the wrong and immoral.

Might have better success if you acknowledge that you see her as a good person trying to have a positive impact.

Insight from a former teacher: one of the issues here might be the approach.

For many of these people, teaching is their IDENTITY, not just a job. There is a weird, cultish thing with teachers that will have them completely committed to that world heart and soul, even though it abuses them and burns them up like firewood. I didn't realize this until after I'd left it.

The cognitive dissonance is real because they believe they are doing GOOD. Take that away, and many of these people lose the only compass they have.