Cassie Head, a fourth-grade teacher, finds herself in a tough predicament. After a full day of teaching 30 students, Head has to shift gears and start her evening job as a server at a local restaurant. She expresses a sense of injustice, as she has invested significant time and effort in her teaching career but still struggles to earn a livable wage. Head’s story resonates with many teachers who share similar experiences of working second jobs to supplement their income.
Head, a 25-year-old educator from New York, reveals that one of the joys of teaching is building relationships with her young students and witnessing their development. However, her excitement was dampened when she discovered the meager salary offered to her as a new teacher. She describes it as a harsh dose of reality, realizing that her years of studying and hard work only resulted in a disappointing paycheck. As a single mother, Head finds it particularly challenging to cover her bills and sustain herself financially.
To manage her finances, Head opted for a payment plan that provides 26 paychecks spread throughout the year, rather than the usual 21. Despite earning between $45,000 and $49,000 annually, which slightly exceeds the national average for teachers, it still falls short of meeting her needs. The National Education Association reports that teachers’ salaries have failed to keep up with inflation, leaving them earning significantly less than they did a decade ago.
In an effort to make ends meet, Head takes on two additional jobs. Apart from teaching, she works as a waitress, with her shifts varying depending on the season. Additionally, she spends several hours each week babysitting. Despite her hard work, Head often feels drained and financially strained. She believes it is unfair that teachers have to take on multiple jobs just to support themselves and their families.
Ashley Rocketfield, a first-grade teacher, shares Head’s financial struggles. Rocketfield works approximately 47 hours a week at her school, followed by waitressing for 10 hours and tutoring for two hours outside of school. Throughout her six-year teaching career, she has found it impossible to rely solely on her teacher’s salary. Even with her combined working hours and an annual income of $57,000, Rocketfield still faces financial difficulties. While she acknowledges that finding a less demanding and higher-paying job has crossed her mind, her love for teaching keeps her committed to her career.
Raymond Quisumbing, a financial planner, recognizes that teachers often earn insufficient incomes to support a comfortable lifestyle. He advises teachers to explore alternative sources of income that align with their skills and expertise. Quisumbing suggests selling educational content or providing skills training as potential avenues for additional earnings. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and acquiring new skills to ensure competitive compensation. Though juggling multiple jobs is undoubtedly challenging, diversifying income sources can provide teachers with greater financial stability in today’s economic climate.
@ayyitscassie How many of my teacher friends have atleast one side job?? I have 3 😩😅
