25 percent of Texas teachers work a second job

That percentage is nearly seven times the percentage of the entire American workforce that is forced to work two jobs.

Everyone in Texas knows that teacher pay in Texas has been historically low. Thus, it should come as no surprise that more than 25 percent of all Texas teachers must have a second job to pay their bills and survive–not to mention that 44 percent of teachers are seriously considering another profession, according to a new survey by the Texas State Teacher’s Association, mentioned in the Statesman.

That Texas ranked 32nd among the 50 states in terms of teacher pay in the most recent statistics from the American Federation of Teachers (which is a couple of years old) coupled with the stats from the TSTA study should be a wake-up call for members of the Texas Legislature. Democrats have already taken notice of the problem, and last session, House Democrats took some steps to help rectify this problem last year by passing an historic teacher pay raise.

Of course, not everyone in the House voted for the teacher pay raise when State Rep. Rick Noriega (who is now running for U.S. Senate) worked to amend the General Appropriations Act to have it included:

Nays — Anderson; Aycock; Berman; Bohac; Branch; Brown, B.; Brown, F.; Callegari; Chavez; Chisum; Christian; Cook, B.; Corte; Crabb; Creighton; Crownover; Davis, J.; Delisi; Driver; Eissler; Elkins; Flynn; Gattis; Hancock; Hardcastle; Harless; Harper-Brown; Hill; Howard, C.; Hughes; Isett; Jackson; Keffer; King, P.; Kolkhorst; Latham; Laubenberg; Macias; Madden; Morrison; Mowery; Murphy; O’Day; Parker; Paxton; Riddle; Smith, W.; Smithee; Solomons; Straus; Taylor; Truitt; Turner; Woolley; Zedler; Zerwas.

A couple of those Reps (Mowery, Macias, O’Day, etc.) are either out or on their way out having resigned, elected not to run again, or having been defeated in primaries. Others, like Betty Brown, John Davis, Myra Crownover, and Vicki Truitt, have opponents who will, hopefully, make sure to throw this vote right in their faces like a platter full of hot grits this fall.

Here is another tidbit from the press release that is important to note:

Despite pay gains over the past two years, salaries remain a significant issue for Texas teachers. Only about 5 percent of all U.S. workers have to hold second jobs to make ends meet. In sharp contrast, 28 percent of Texas teachers have to moonlight. They work an average of 11.5 hours a week at their second jobs, even though 71 percent believe it is having a negative impact on their teaching. Moonlighting teachers make an average of $8,288 per year, up from only $4,952 two years ago. Even though 88 percent of those who moonlight would like to quit, each would need a minimum annual raise of $8,970 to do so.

As the prices of food, fuel and other basics continue to rise rapidly, the extra income teachers earn from moonlighting becomes even more important. The restrictions the Texas Legislature in 2006 imposed on the amount of new money school districts can raise and the Legislature’s own unwillingness to commit new funding to public education further erode the economic well-being of the teachers.

That 28 percent of Texas teachers forced to moonlight is nearly seven times the percentage of the entire American workforce that is forced to work two jobs. That’s pretty terrible.

Pegasus News Content partner - Capitol Annex

xdavidwattsx, anonymous:

It's really frustrating that we don't pay our teachers enough when we pay our high school football coaches 80-100k.

4 years, 1 month ago
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Rawlins, anonymous:

How many (DISD) teachers do I know who have to spend their own money on supplies for their students. (Several) How does that make sense?

4 years, 1 month ago
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momzilla, anonymous:

This is news? Back in the day (60s) nearly all teachers, especially the males, worked summer jobs. My fifth grade teacher at Eastern Hills Elementary worked as a truck driver during the summers.

What is being ignored about that survey is the fact that the majority of teachers are primarily dissatisfied with working conditions. Good grief, these professionals are being treated like fast food counter help by the state and local administration. The kids and parents are abusive. I wouldn't teach school in the FWISD for twice the going salary.

4 years, 1 month ago
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Ashley Lyell, verified:

I have a good friend that's a kindergarten teacher in Richardson ISD and I don't think you could pay me enough to go through what she does (and I always thought retail was the devil).

She has to pay for most everything out of pocket to decorate her room and fill it with supplies. It's ridiculous. She has to deal with parents that come up to yell at her because she disciplined little Bobby for the first time in his life and mommy doesn't approve. Five year olds giving her the finger and cussing her out. Pretty sad.

4 years, 1 month ago
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John McClelland, verified:

Hmm wasn't my opponent, nay voter Myra Crownover, once a teacher? Odd she would deny fellow teachers a fair raise in salary.

4 years, 1 month ago
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Scott Doyle, verified:

Was the vote on the act itself or just the pay raises? Not exactly fair to 'throw it in her face' if it was part of an overall act Crownover disagreed with, imo.

Being 32nd of the 50 states isn't as big of a deal as how much they're actually making. Our cost of living in TX is much lower than the coasts, and as with any ranking - SOMEBODY has to take the lower ranks. Not exactly the best argument for raises.

Hows about we give them incentives to develop lesson plans that go above and beyond state administered testing?

I've got a couple of friends who teach in a relatively small town, and they do just fine. Granted, they're married to each other - but both are public school teachers nonetheless. That bit about 25% having a second job is by teachers' own accord I'd venture to guess...unless they're trying to be $30,000 millionaires I'm sure they can get by within reason.

I'm not saying it's a walk in the park and they shouldn't get raises - I'm all for it. IJS come up with better arguments for them. Dealing with people's brats is reason enough for Doyle.

4 years, 1 month ago
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Rick Yost, verified:

I have several friends that are teachers.
I don't know that forcing the teachers of our children to exist on such a meager wage, and buy the supplies needed to teach with is a good idea.
It's been going on for some time now, and the results from it will probably not show up for years. Then some sub-committee will easily find the money to fund a study showing that it has led to the even further dumbing down of America.

As much as is spent on stupid things with tax dollars, you'd think we could afford to truly fund the education of young Americans.

As much hell as I gave many of my teachers in public school, I owe them more than I can say.
I agree with Scott's "Dealing with people's brats." I'm afraid I could have been considered one of those.