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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Teachers, Facing Low Salaries, Opt To Moonlight

MIAMI (AP) - By day, Wade Brosz teaches American history at an A-rated Florida middle school. By night, he is a personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness.

Brosz took the three-night a week job at the gym after his teaching salary was frozen, summer school was reduced drastically, and the state bonus for board certified teachers was cut. He figures that he and his wife, also a teacher, are making about $20,000 less teaching than expected to, combined.

"The second job was to get back what was lost through cuts," said Brosz, a nationally board certified teacher. "It was tougher and tougher to make ends meet. I started personal training because it's flexible hours."

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15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Boo Hoo, cry me a river. Teachers knew, or should have known, what the salary was before taking the job, or even before deciding on their major in college. Also, the average working stiff works 240 days per year after deducting 2 weeks vacations and 10 days for holidays. The average teacher works 180 to 185 days, or 75% of the average worker. At an average national salary of $55,000 for 75% of the work, I see no reason to complain.

Anonymous said...

Teachers complain because they know no better. Remember, those who can't do, teach. Examine the vast increase in teaching degree over the past 20 years. It's all about job security, where seniority rules, and good teaching takes a back seat. I know many folks who worked 2-3 jobs their whole lives. Business owners, degree holders, EMT/Firefighters/Police officers. I was just talking with a guy who was a Metro(DC) police officer for 20 years, he moonlighted the entire time on the job. First, at clubs/department stores, then as a Federal Marshall for the Court(at the time in the Mayor detail)! I have no pity for a person crying about having to pickup a second, part time gig. You do it for yourself, so why complain about it?

Anonymous said...

I can't recall any teacher who was forced to take the job or to keep the job. If you don't like the pay just do what everyone else does, look for another job.

Anonymous said...

When I was in high school teachers moonlighted then. So what?

Anonymous said...

join the rest of us who have to do the same.....no pity here

Anonymous said...

Average salary of $55,000. and has to work a second job? Someone needs to go back to school and learn how to live within ones income.

Anonymous said...

My daughter is a teacher but waitresses for the same family she did through college. They call her when they are short help. She loves it and she chooses to do it and cleans up on tips.

Anonymous said...

Try teaching in a non-public school if you want to talk about making ends meet. I could make 50% more teaching in a public school, and I've worked one or two side jobs for over a decade. No complaints though, and if you live within your means, your financial house will be in order, including funding retirement.

Anonymous said...

10:09- Working stiffs, as you call them, are typically done when they leave work. Let's say a teacher works three extra hours a day at home grading papers, planning, researching, etc. Multiply that by 180 school days, and that's 540 hours. Divide that by 40 hours per week, and that's another 13.5 days, just assuming extra work on weekdays. They're also not just on an assembly line screwing on lugnuts. They're educating the next generation. If you want to pick on someone, try lawyers and stockbrokers. They get paid a lot even if they screw up or lose!

Anonymous said...

10:09 educating the next generation? doing a very poor job of it to. maybe your pay should reflect the level of achievement aquired by the students you teach? most other jobs pay according to what you produce. since you produce very little I think you are all rewarded handsomely!

Anonymous said...

We can hire and fire a lawyer or a stockbroker if we don't like the job they are doing. We don't have that choice as a parent.
Teachers work 180. They can get a job in the summertime doing something that will boost their annual income. There are many people out that that bring their work home with them. There are also many children that bring home work that should have been done in school but instead the parents are left to do the teachers job. Some homework is fine but the amount that my son had was crazy.

Anonymous said...

Everyone should home school their kids. Then you would have no one to blame but yourselves.

You can teach them whatever you want, besides the mandated crap. You will know first hand how well they are doing and discover any bad habits.

The teachers left with a job will have less work, in classrooms and at home.

Let's see how that works out.

Anonymous said...

7:43- True, lawyers and stockbrokers can be fired, but they still have to be paid for their bad advice or service. Kids bring home work because it's called homework. That's how it has been since the beginning of time. Teachers actually work 190 days a year, plus there is continuing education. Those who work the typical 5-day work week with two weeks' vacation will work 250 days a year, and yes some take work home. Those are typically the higher paid professions. All professions, however, have a common denominator. We have all had teachers, and a great teacher can make all the difference in motivating and inspiring. We have all had our favorites as well as those at the other end of the spectrum. I guess as Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates."

Anonymous said...

I'm a teacher and I work a second job. I am thankful and glad to have one job, let alone two. I took a job teaching so I would have more time with my family. Yes, I work a lot on my own time, pay for a lot of materials myself, and put up with a lot of BS. I work the second job whenever I feel the need to work in order to provide the best for my family. With that said, if you think we have it made, then by all means come join us, we'd love to have you. Most of the commentators on here probably feel teaching is beneath them despite all the time off and good pay. Like everyone else in the world I feel I should make more money, but I am happy to have what I manage to acquire. I sometimes think to myself, "If I can work 2 jobs, then how come others can't work one job?"

Anonymous said...

9:11pm
Please contact 12:29am for advise.

This teacher/commentor seems to be doing ok in the free time dept.
Scheduling and planning may be your weak points.