Dear We Are Teachers,
I love teaching, but financially, I’m drowning. After rent, groceries, gas, and student loans, I barely scrape by each month. Side gigs help, but I’m burning out fast trying to juggle everything. I hate that money might push me out of a career I love, but I don’t see another option. How do I decide if it’s time to leave teaching or find a way to make it work?
—Priced Out of the Classroom
Dear P.O.O.T.C.,
I’m sorry that we treat our educators this way. Teachers shouldn’t have to choose between doing what they love and paying their bills on time. That said, loving teaching and needing financial stability are not mutually exclusive. At the end of the day, you—and your ability to care for yourself—are most important.
Here’s what I’d recommend to find your footing:
1. Do a “reality audit,” not a guilt spiral.
Take a clear-eyed look at your finances, energy, and priorities. If your side gigs are keeping you afloat but sinking your mental health, that’s not sustainable. List out your non-negotiables—health insurance, rest, savings goals—and see if teaching as it currently stands meets them.
2. Explore every option before you pull the plug.
Check your district’s salary schedule. Sometimes a graduate hour or certification bump is more attainable than you think. Ask your principal about stipends for extracurriculars, mentoring, or summer curriculum writing—sometimes just asking will put you on their radar for opportunities. If you haven’t already, explore public service loan forgiveness (it’s finally working better for teachers).
3. Make an informed decision from a place of peace, not a place of chaos.
If you can, take a beat—part of next summer, a long weekend, even a single mental health day—to step back before making a call. Clarity comes when survival mode quiets down a little.
Whatever you decide, please know this: Leaving teaching doesn’t make you a failure. Staying and fighting for fair pay doesn’t make you naive. You’re doing your best in an impossible equation, and that’s something to be proud of.
Dear We Are Teachers,
I have a 1st grade student who comes to school fully glammed out. Fake eyelashes, eye shadow, lipstick, press-on nails—the works. Not only is this just blatantly not age-appropriate, but it’s a huge distraction. The lashes and nails are constantly falling off, foundation gets in her eyes after recess, and she’s constantly going to the restroom and coming back “freshened up.” My principal says to not get involved, but I’m at my wits’ end seeing a 6-year-old waltz in looking like she’s ready for the club. Would you say something to the parent?
—Bewildered by Baby Blush
Dear B.B.B.B.,
A glammed-out 6 year-old might be jarring, but you’re right to pause before intervening. In this case, I think you need to separate your personal feelings about a child that age wearing makeup from the impact it’s having on learning (and arguably safety, with the foundation in the eyes).
This might just be a sparkle-loving child and a parent or guardian who supports it. But it might also be cultural expression, family bonding, or a parent who doesn’t realize the extent to which it’s causing a distraction.
Set clear classroom norms about time and place. Have a private conversation with the student about when and where it’s appropriate to focus on makeup. Taking off your nails at home? Great! During a math lesson? Not the best time.
If the behavior escalates (e.g., hygiene issues from makeup in eyes, nails interfering with safety), document incidents and bring them to your administrator again with specific examples. My advice? Stay neutral, stay consistent, and let admin handle the mascara if it comes to that.
Dear We Are Teachers,
One of the teachers on my 7th grade team is genuinely lovely—kind, supportive, and full of great stories. The problem is, once she starts talking, I can’t seem to escape. If I stop by her room to borrow something during our conference period, I end up losing the whole block. If she drops by my room after school, she’ll stay for hours unless I fake an appointment (which I’ve done more than once). She’s older than me, so I feel rude cutting her off—but I’m also running out of time and energy to spare. Should I just get comfortable interrupting her, or do I need to have an actual conversation about it?
—Drowning in Delightful Digressions
Dear D.I.D.D.,
Every school has one: the beloved storyteller who turns every trip to the copy room into an episode of This American Life. You clearly respect this teacher—and that’s great—but it sounds like your politeness is costing you precious prep time.
Here’s the good news: You don’t need a confrontation. You just need a strategy. The next time she launches into a saga, use the “friendly interruption sandwich”:
- Start with warmth. (“Oh, I love hearing about your students!”)
- Establish your boundary. (“But I’ve got to finish grading before dismissal.”)
- End with a positive out. (“Let’s catch up at lunch sometime!”)
If she still doesn’t take the hint, a direct but kind statement works best: “I really enjoy our chats, but I’ve realized I lose my whole planning time. Can we set a better time to catch up?” I’d wager that most people like this don’t realize they’re monopolizing time, and hopefully she’ll appreciate your honesty.
Do you have a burning question? Email us at askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear We Are Teachers,
Lately I’ve noticed a troubling trend among some of the parents at my school: gossip. Whether it’s in Facebook groups or group chats, info about me—an activity they didn’t like, jeans during Meet the Teacher (the horror!)— has made its way back to me via other teachers. It’s not just hurtful—it’s making it harder to build trust with families. I know I can’t control what parents say, but I’m tired of being the subject of group chat gossip. How do I protect my reputation and my sanity when the rumor mill won’t stop spinning?
—Burned by the Grapevine