TNedchat is a way for educators in Tennessee to share thoughts, resources, and information. The weekly chat is moderated by Jessica Warner (@jessawarner) and Samantha Bates (@sjsbates).
Q1: Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports teachers are 30 percent more likely to have multiple jobs" What are your thoughts on this statistic? #TnEdChat
A1: lack of investment. If we have teachers properly funded, they are better prepared to train/teach students. Just like students come to the classroom with weight of home, teachers do too. Financial stress has an impact. #TNedchat
A1: What are the parameters of the report? When was the study done? How long was the research? Where did it occur? How many teachers were involved? What was the demographics of the schools, teachers, and multiple jobs they had? #TNedchat
A1: What are the parameters of the report? When was the study done? How long was the research? Where did it occur? How many teachers were involved? What was the demographics of the schools, teachers, and multiple jobs they had? #TNedchat
A1: I would think it is more. I know many teachers that are lucky to not be the head of household and major bread winner, so it becomes easier to focus on passion for the profession than the dependency of the dollar. #TNEdChat
A1: I think some of this depends on context. It also depends on the demands already placed upon teachers. For example, 206-day contracts as opposed to 190-day contracts may leave less time for additional jobs but pay more. #TNEdChat
Q1: Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports teachers are 30 percent more likely to have multiple jobs" What are your thoughts on this statistic? #TnEdChat
a1b there was a time that a head of household with multiple children and non-working spouse at our school could collect food stamps. That has changed but wow. #tnedchat
A1: That statistic is very misleading. Teachers are compensated very differently all over the country. Some are paid quite well, while others are truly struggling. National statistics make local discussion about teacher pay very difficult. #tnedchat
Q2: Yes - money. I was a teacher at a summer sailing and education camp in Coral Gables, FL right on Biscayne Bay. It was amazing, and so much work. It kept me mentally engaged and interested - that's key for me. #tnedchat
A2: I taught summer school, which I guess would be a another job? I had friends without kids that waited tables or delivered ice in the summer, we were both looking for extra income. #TNedchat
Since 2013, I've had to look for side hustles. Over the past 4 years, I looked for jobs that paid close to market value, flexible times, and were close to what I really loved (people and driving).
#TNedchat
A2: I taught summer school for many years to provide additional income and because of my belief in supporting students who needed additional opportunities to learn. #TNEdChat
A2: I've been very fortunate to never need a 2nd job. I've done woodworking and summer camps to get some extra cash for vacations or xmas. But I'm not sure I'd consider them side hustles. #tnedchat
Headed out to yuck in my gal. Thanks for letting me hang out! Keep up the great work. @Gregbagby and @juliedavisEDU , you encourage me so much! #TNedchat
A3 Unfortunately teachers are not paid well so they have to supplement their salaries with other jobs. I always worked full teaching schedule took after school jobs & did my writing job at home. Teachers should be paid better so they can fully concentrate on their job #tnedchat
A3: I think that would be counter-productive, but we are kind of doing that today in indy schools. If you coach you get a stipend and sometimes a lighter load, if you are part of a committee, you might get a stipend and a lighter load etc. #TNEdChat
A3: I think it depends on the local economy and what the expected role of the teacher is in the context. If a teacher’s salary is competitive and commensurate with his or her experience, why split focus? However, some 2nd jobs reinforce the teaching role, like in CTE. #tnedchat
A3: I would hope not. The last thing I would want in my school are teachers who are mentally and physically exhausted because of the work they are doing that is non-school related. #TNEdChat
A4: Ts can provide real world info and experiences to Ss, pick up new methods, skills, tools to apply to education; Detriment - saps A LOT of mental and physical energy and time #tnedchat
A4: One benefit is a teacher who is so tired from a second job they don't have as much HW. (Not sure if that would be a benefit or detriment)
Another, the teacher is more focused on what works well and discards the complicated.
#TnEdChat
A4: it can allow teachers to give a secondary viewpoint if “the real world” and application into their content. Detriments CAN be lack of energy, focus or increased stress. I can see how a second job may bring more energy/excitement. #TNedchat
A4: I would think that Ts might bring in different perspectives and experiences to add value to the learning. I would think that Ts might struggle with balance and dedication to their craft. #TNEdChat
A4: Again, it depends on the nature of the side job. Sometimes, it provides a model for bi-vocational opportunities and diversity of experience for aspiring educators; other times, it provides an exhausted teacher w/ a less than exhilarating but taxing evening job. #TNEdChat
A4c: I'm glad I've had experience in both the business world and as an educator, I think it's made me more rounded to meet the needs of our school. #tnedchat
A4: I’d like to see Ts externships in industry where they are paid to learn a trade while gaining experience...pros Ts learn applied skills & identify labor market trends to guide Ss, con they may flee educ bc they’d make more money in industry #TnEdChat
A3 No, teachers should be given a lighter load because there's a teacher shortage and we're going to lose our young teachers if we don't do something. #tnedchat
A4: I’d like to see Ts externships in industry where they are paid to learn a trade while gaining experience...pros Ts learn applied skills & identify labor market trends to guide Ss, con they may flee educ bc they’d make more money in industry #TnEdChat
A3 No, teachers should be given a lighter load because there's a teacher shortage and we're going to lose our young teachers if we don't do something. #tnedchat
and errbody seems to be writing books these days....of course we are buying them from each other, sooooo, not sure who is winning but the publishers! #tnedchat
Absolutely! When you don't have time nor energy to dedicate to extraneous work, you find the efficient way.
Well, the good and well meaning teachers do.
#TnEdChat
I think it could be if the District/School can retain a highly successful teacher that recruits others for the district. Many also present and bring back as well. #TnEdChat
I have a local district that partners with industry to pay for Ts externships. They started sending core academics to industry & it was pretty cool to watch the experience transform mindset to grow themselves & Ss #tnedchat
A5: Tutoring struggling students, Homebound teaching (does that count as a side hustle?), retail and customer service during the holidays, Comcast call center #patienceofasaint#TnEdChat
A2 I have multiple side jobs, actually. I work at a swimming pool store (a job I've had for 23 yrs), I'm the English Dept. Chair, a member of my school's newly formed literacy team, and I'm the president of my county's @TEA_teachers affiliate #tnedchat
A3: I respectfully disagree. Giving teachers "a lighter load" is not a plan. It just sounds like we're shortcutting & short-changing students & their learning needs. Instead, let's strategically compensate teachers who voluntarily & proactively carry the heavy load. #TnEdChat
I’m out of the classroom but I am tutoring once a week. It helps to keep me tied to the work I still love - helping students understand math. #TNedchat
Since, I've moved to NJ, my need for a serious side hustle diminished.
However, I love learning and helping people. so I work on websites, do concert promotions, and train various people how to use web-based tools. Only 2 of those pay something.
#TnEdChat
A4: A side job forces Ts to experience business outside of the classroom and could allow a T to bring a different perspective to her students. Entrepreneurship is a type of talent cultivated by teachers with that hold a second job, which they pass down to students. #TNEdChat
There may be a cyclical teacher shortage anyway, but mostly because college kids don't know how hard the work is--if done well--and also because we don't effectively communicate and train future educators in the genuine nature and rigors of the career. #TNedchat
A4 If the side job is professionally related to teaching, then students can benefit. For example, my role as the president of the teacher's association helps students because it's been proven that statistically students do better when membership increases. #tnedchat
A5: Side hustle that allow a person to continue cultivating the talent that they are passionate for is an investment in their career. Keep it relevant and enjoy the benefits of not only the money, but the learning experience. #TNEdChat
I've seen it at @TEA_teachers functions, but I don't have it at my disposal. I'm sure I can email someone and get it though. It'd be good for me to have anyway. #tnedchat
In reply to
@techyturner, @juliedavisEDU, @TEA_teachers
I didn’t want to split hairs, but again, I agree it depends on the understanding of “lighter load.” I think we need to compensate the load that supports our students most effectively by their educators. High expectations for the profession shouldn’t waver. @KyleHamstra#tnedchat
A6 I think often teachers take low paying jobs to make ends meet, if they had true opportunities to earn relevant money and skills for teacher growth, everyone can win #tnedchat
A6) I just remembered a program in Chicago where students get paid to do ARTS (Exhibits and Concerts are a part of it.) and learn during the summer and the teachers...get paid as well. #TnEdChat
A6b: Also - support from the school and system even in the little things - I imagine the schedules may conflict a bit, like when your awesome district does a balanced calendar (yay!) Shout out @ORSchools !! #TnEdChat
A6b In my dream world, both students and teachers could have varied opportunities with business partners to grow and to help companies that invest in the schools #tnedchat
A5: A "side hustle" isn't desirable. Educators do whatever it takes to make ends meet. Real challenge lies in our own conveying of this message/image of Ts always being martyrs to their cause, always "taking one for the team," bc we're Ts. Is this okay? #TNedchat#rebrandnced
A6: I would think any company in any profession would be lucky to have a teacher as an employee. The skills we utilize in our classrooms would be a benefit to a company. #TNEdChat
A6c: Interestingly, I met with several business leaders the other day who said they will hire ex-military all day long because of their soft skills. How do we develop those more in our Ts/Ss as well? #tnedchat
A6: Perhaps, provide more continuity through the year, and connect teachers to those outside of their profession to engage students with other professionals with related authentic experiences. Also, extend to more than STEM. #TNEdChat
A6: It all depends on the local community. STEM is broad. Local industries have very specific needs. Public Ed needs to tune into those needs. Lots of opportunity. #tnedchat
A6: I would think any company in any profession would be lucky to have a teacher as an employee. The skills we utilize in our classrooms would be a benefit to a company. #TNEdChat
We have 100+ internship partners and Ts get to visit their advisees throughout the year. We’ve also offered summer experiences and recently applied for a grant to pay them.
That is interesting to hear. I've been asked to do more people facing tasks because of my "Soft Skills." I appreciate the compliment, but my time and effort are precious.
#TnEdChat
#TNEdChat how many education books do we need? are we just tinkering at the edges? putting lipstick on a pig? we need real, systemic change. not books on how to make the current (bad) system more palatable
In reply to
@njkraai, @nathan_stevens, @juliedavisEDU
Agree on expectations. Yet, some educators invest more... time, energy, work... into the elements that make learning better for kids. They should have tiered income opps as incentives. We can't focus on #wholechild without also focusing on #wholeeducator. #TNedchat#rebrandnced
It could mean this, but it could also mean additional duties assigned that are not as directly related to one’s role as might be optimal. I think that optimal input should provide outputs that are consistent with the effort applied. I don’t like the “lighter load” term. #tnedchat
Thank you #TnEdChat for a great conversation.
Let's now push for teachers to have more pay and no need for side hustles. That time can be spent with family and friends.
