MyTwoCents: 'My co-workers act like we’ve taken a vow of poverty to be teachers or something. I work with some teachers in their 70s who literally can’t afford to stop working. How can I avoid that fate?' CharlotteCowles responds
Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Getty Images I’m a high-school history teacher, and I really enjoy it. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do, and I love my kids and my colleagues. I work at a small private school, which comes with some drama and drawbacks, but overall I’m happy here. The problem is that the pay sucks. Most of my fellow teachers seem to have family money or a wealthier spouse, but I have neither and can barely make ends meet.
First of all, you deserve to get paid more. It’s absurd that we ask so much of teachers and don’t compensate them better. This is a major systemic problem, and I wish I could change it. But I can’t, so we’ll need to step back and consider your options. Speaking of which, what do you want? I’m not asking you to map out a rigid life plan to the letter, but it’s wise to think about what financial security actually means to you. These are just some examples: Maybe it would look like traveling to see family a few times a year, renting a one-bedroom apartment on your own, and being able to go out to dinner once a week without stressing about your bank balance and retirement account.
Obviously, Texas is not for everyone. And Muhammad says there were downsides to this decision — he and his wiife didn’t know anyone there at first, for starters. Moving also may not be realistic for you, and there are a zillion great reasons to stay in Brooklyn. But broadening your horizons might turn up some options you haven’t previously considered. “There are a number of major cities where you could be making $65,000 or $70,000 and probably cut your expenses in half,” says Muhammad.