Is it possible to support a family in this area on a teacher's salary?

[Anonymous]

7:40 I live "painfully modestly" with my child on my teacher's salary but I've never had a husband to support me either. It probably is very hard to go from 2 incomes to just one w/ some child support but it is totally doable. I actually like my life now that I live in a rented apt that is the right size for us and not full of junk we don't need. Of course, we live in a not so great area but my DD attends the school where I teach so I'm not worried about the school district. So yes, it is possible but you have to really reevaluate your thinking. Your kids might have to share a room if you get an apt. Before my DD was attending my school, I looked into apts in nice school districts and I could've afforded them (in areas of Arlington for example) so yes, a teacher can support their kids by himself or herself in this area. But I doubt they will be owning a home (maybe a condo depending on when they bought it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone here a teacher and the sole breadwinner of the family?

Do you know of any teachers in the DC area who have families and live off of just one income?

The Average DCPS teachers earns $65K per year for about 190 school days. I am not a teacher but am a single mother that earns $67K and am living just fine in the district (and work 250 days a year; my biggest expense is summer camp which would not be necessary on a teachers schedule.

[Anonymous]

If you have a trust fund, yes, you can do it.

I know a few teacher friends who have trust funds (or their spouse has a trust fund) and families and this is how they do it.

[Anonymous]

That's not true. I live on a lot less than $65K and do just fine with one child. We don't go on fancy vacations or live in a Mc Mansion but it certainly is possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not mean this question to be disrespectful: didn't all of you who went into teaching KNOW the salaries?

I agree teachers should be paid more and that they have one of the most important jobs out there. I respect them. Having said that, I do always wonder whether salary was not a consideration for them when they chose this career path???

I don't think your post is disrespectful. Can't speak for other teachers, but I teach because it is what I love doing. I knew that the salaries weren't great.

This is one of the aspects of teaching that our chancellor doesn't understand. Money is not the motivation for teaching, or for teaching effectively. Dangling incentives in front of us and threatening us with dismissal will not make test scores go up. It will, however, make teaching a miserable job, and probably lead to many teachers, good and bad, leaving the profession.