I am passionate about students and education, just like the teachers, education support professionals, counselors, and other education professionals I know. Being in the room when students make a discovery about themselves or the world is the most gratifying experience I can imagine. These are not merely jobs. This is our calling.
But following your calling—especially when our society benefits—shouldn’t mean sacrificing financial security. In ”Moonlighting” (Page 40), you’ll read about members who are working part-time jobs to make ends meet. They never thought they’d get rich as educators. But they didn’t expect to need one or two part-time jobs to get by, either.
One of the educators, a teacher in Colorado, says: “We work second jobs because our salaries alone are not sufficient to pay our bills, let alone save for the future. But I want to work with students, especially those who struggle with learning disabilities. It is incredibly rewarding.” We should applaud these educators, not penalize them.
Approximately 16 percent of teachers work second jobs, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, and the Economic Policy Institute says pay for teachers is continuing to fall behind the pay for professionals in other fields with similar levels of education, experience, and expertise.
I realize that more and more people are part of the “gig economy,” using apps and online platforms to connect with customers who need a ride or want concierge-type services. These workers devise ways to earn money that give them more flexibility and often an outlet for creativity. But I’d bet most people would prefer one full-time job that provides a salary and benefits they can live on.
We seem to be normalizing the idea that it is acceptable for hard-working people across many different fields to earn less than they should and be forced to take part-time work to pay the bills. That takes employers, and, in the case of public-school professionals, school districts and states off the hook for doing the right thing.
We know that collective bargaining can help raise wages. When educators have the ability and the right to stand together and advocate for what we need, we are stronger and can level the playing field. This is not only crucial in improving learning conditions for our students. It also helps stem the erosion of wages and benefits.
But most of all, we need elected leaders and policymakers to stand with us. Ultimately, we want all educators to have the wherewithal, strength, and energy for these demanding, taxing, and incredibly rewarding jobs. They are committed to students. As a nation, we need to be equally committed to them.
