In previous years, an increasing number of teachers worldwide have taken on second jobs to supplement their income during the school year and summers.
The average starting salary for teachers in the United States is approximately $62,088. Although this might not appear problematic at first, it is not enough to cover living costs in many parts of the country. Even though more experienced teachers might be eligible for a higher salary, these raises aren’t always enough to keep up with inflation and the cost of living.
English teacher Bridget Heidt is one of many who has a second job outside of her teaching career. “I still have a second job for a few reasons: I hope to save up to continue my education but also for my future overall,” Heidt explained. “I don’t want to have to worry about not having money for emergencies like car issues, house problems or unexpected expenses that happen in life. If I didn’t work a second job, I wouldn’t be able to have much money set aside for things like that.”
Nearly one in five public school teachers has a second job during the school year, and some teachers even take on additional employment over the summer.
The types of second jobs teachers take on often depend on their skills, time and flexibility. Some of the main jobs teachers have include being a coach, mentor, tutor, or virtual assistant for something they are passionate about.
This passion for Heidt is the medical field, and some skills overlap with her teaching career. “I work as a Pharmacy Technician,” Heidt said. “I do enjoy working in the medical field and education because there is surprisingly a large amount of overlap in topics, skills and sometimes knowledge.”
While a second job can provide teachers with financial relief, it can also come with a cost.
Teachers who work during the school year may find themselves stressed, running out of time for grading and lesson planning. This imbalance can lead to burnout as teachers are left with limited time to rest and recharge.
This increased pressure on teachers can easily affect how they perform in the classroom. Having used more energy to keep up with two jobs, teachers might find it hard to bring the same level of enthusiasm and energy to class. Despite these problems, teachers may feel they have no other choice but to sacrifice.
Heidt explains her view and how she approaches a balanced life between her two jobs . “I feel like I would be much better of a teacher if I could focus on one career fully and not work both jobs,” Heidt said. “One thing that helps me reduce burnout is realizing it’s something I choose to do to have a better quality of life and future financially.”
From senior Jacob Kustes’ perspective, Heidt is a great teacher but student antics hinder her full teaching abilities, especially when she is trying to balance between two jobs. “Heidt is a good English teacher but occasionally lacks energy, reasons being the constant shenanigans that other kids in the class may cause, which appears to drain Heidt,” Kustes explained.
Teachers’ necessity of a second job is an indication of a larger issue. Teachers’ pay is one of the biggest reasons why teachers are searching for secondary income. Schools’ budgets remain low, not only causing teacher’s salaries to stay low but also impacting the quality of resources available to students.
The increasing number of teachers with second jobs highlights a financial problem in education and the value of teachers. As teachers continue to work additional hours, both at school and not, it shows their dedication to providing for their families and educating the next generation.
