Question of the Week Archives

Question:

Replies:

Debbie - Tunkhannock, Pa
I tend bar during the school year and work at a golf course during the summer.

NY
I work as an adjunct professor, teach summer school and supervise at all school sporting events. I also work in an after school program, supervise detention, and do anything else I can to supplement my income. However, the 'cost' is becoming significant - I am burning out rapidly and find myself becoming more and more exhausted (mentally and physically).

FL
As a university professor in Education, I have to consult and depend on royalties just to make ends meet. I spend many of my weekends and evenings developing training/development opportunities and work with others throughout the country.

Beginning professors in other colleges (business, law, nursing) start at salaries close to my own (after 13 years and being a full professor). In fact, in Education, it is difficult to find new professors because of the requirement of having a doctorate degree and the pay is not much more than one would get if one stayed in the K-12 school system (especially with a doctorate degree although not necessarily with the degree).

College administrators tell us that it is just "market value."

Judy - Palos Verdes, CA
For teachers at year round schools, moonlighting is a great plus--one of the few benefits of year roud schedule. When off track, we can sub [long term or day to day] at our own school, help with testing, or teach intersession [at full pay]. Sub pay in LA is very good, and it's hard to find pay moonlighting that is comparable to our salary. If Schwarzenneger cuts our salaries by 8%, many more teachers will be 'moonlighting'!

pat - montville, nj
Of course I moonlight, could not make ends meet otherwise, I am sorry to say. During the year I run an after school program from 3-6, and in the summers I work summer school as well as a receptionist in a doctor's office.

nj
I also do "testing" for a consumer testing company, testing sunscreen, cosmetics, etc over the summer.

M. Johnson - Sioux Falls, SD
Besides working full-time as a 7th grade language arts and reading teacher with 3 preps, I also advise the yearbook staff outside of the school day. On two other days of the week, I work at a thrift store!

VA
Moonlighting jobs, doesn't EVERY teacher need to do this. After a day of teaching I run an after school Algebra Readiness program, tutor homebound students, sell Avon and sell Pure Romance (home parties). During the summers I concentrate on my Avon and Pure Romance. However, I would NEVER give up teaching.

jessica jacobs - staten island, new york
I work as a bookkeeper at a local jewelry store. I work some times after the school day and sometimes on weekends. I've been doing this for several years and wouldn't give it up as I enjoy the work and the people I work with.

Maria - Albany, NY
I work after care at school 3 days a week. I work with the summer camp at school for 4 weeks. I paint projects and quilt for money, when an opportunity arises.

Anonymous - Brooklyn Park, MN
I work as an IT Director for a small evening college. I don't know yet whether this will be just during the year or all year long.

Christine - Landis, NC
Yes, I work at our community college in the evenings to supplement my income.

Patricia Brown - Tipp City, Ohio
I also work as a Weight Watcher Leader and/or receptionist.

LA
I work three or four days a week during the school year and during the summer at Sylvan Learning Center as a tutor. During the summer I also evaluate teacher practioner portfolios for the New Teacher Project "Teach for America" program.

Robert M. Isosaari - Pensacola, Florida
I supplement my income by teaching tennis and stinging tennis racquets.

Keith Altazin - Baton Rouge, LA
I have been teaching a night class at a local regional university for a few years.

MO
I'm a basketball referee on weekends. I love the extra income during the season and summer league.

Jennifer Vaughan - Fort Wayne, IN
Now that my children are out of college and on their own, I do not need to earn additional income. In the past, I offered private tutoring in the summer. I also continue to participate in Homebound Instruction for students with special needs who cannot attend school for discipline or health reasons. In our corporation teachers are paid an additional salary for this after school assignment.

L - Hyattsville, MD
Yes, I've been moonlighting since 1989. I work as a customer service ticket agent for a major airline. I work 20 hours a week during the school year and about 30-35 during school holidays, spring break and the summers.

Stacy Karlsen - Kenosha, WI
I work another job a few hours a week and nearly full-time during the summer months.

Pam Martin - Tahoka, TX
I sell Pampered Chef on the side. It's hard to do very many parties during the school year, but I try to get in some to help out.

Karen Young - Garland, Texas
I teach piano lessons in my home studio.

Elaine - St. Louis, MO
I began making baskets as a way to relax - something I could do while my husband and I (we're empty-nesters) chat and watch TV or while he "plays with his baseball cards) in the evenings. After thinking and problem solving all day, this is all (or at least almost all) fine motor work that I love and doesn't take too much concentration. A basketweaving friend introduced me to jewelry making and now I do both regularly. One of the shops in St. Charles (MO) Old-town is taking some of my creations on assignment. It doesn't pay a lot, but I enjoy doing it and get a sense of satisfaction different from the one gets in teaching.

MN
I have a second job as a librarian at the local community college for 12 hours a week, and this year I took on an additional consultant job for 20 hours a month. At school I'm a club adviser also. I could probably live on my full-time public school salary, but I couldn't afford to travel or maintain my house. I've also taken in a renter to help with housing costs. The consultant position is just through this year; I'm using that money to pay off odds and ends loans.

IL
No, actually I do not "moonlight" or work another job to supplement income for my family. I am very fortunate though; my husband retired after 21 years with the US Navy so I do not need to work. Many of my fellow colleagues here do have to find some sort of part-time work to help make ends meet. Even those teachers who have retired do need more help with extra work.

Alberta
There must be a huge difference in the way the United States pays their teachers. Not one teacher I know in Alberta Canada moonlights for extra income. Any "extra" jobs they take on are for other benefits. Here is a link that highlights one salary grid from 2006. http://local8.teachers.ab.ca/Salaries+and+Benefits/Collective+Agreements/?

It's sad to hear that teachers have to supplement. Who has the time? We work ten months of the year and need our summers off. Some of us actually do PD during some of that time as well. Anyway, thoughts from one Canadian neighbour to the north.