Introduction
Hello and welcome to this web series, “A Financial Challenge of a Teacher.”
This blog post provides an introduction and helpful information for readers.
What is this series about?
I am a middle-school teacher based in Tok, Alaska.
I teach English Language Arts and this is my second year as a public-school teacher.
The starting salary of a public-school teacher is not high.
As I attempt to provide for myself and my own two children, the situation regarding my finances is challenging.
My current forecast predicts a five-figure financial deficit each year for the next several years as I climb the pay scale.
A part of me (a somewhat logical part) is tempted to simply give up and try something else.
The thing is, I love the career of an English Language Arts teacher, I enjoy encouraging young children to read, and I would like to have the option to continue in this role.
Rather than giving up, I am instead using my experience as inspiration to publicly explain the challenges I face.
I do this with the hope that I can find community support as I work to overcome this challenge, and also because there may be readers who benefit from reading my perspective.
Furthermore, if it’s not possible to make ends meet as a teacher in my situation, perhaps the public and those who have the power to change things would like to know.
Limitations of This Story
Creative Work
Readers are advised that I am an author of fiction and all information provided within this story can be considered a creative work.
Information Limits
I am only sharing information that I believe is relevant and necessary.
Scope of the Project
Each year, as I climb the teacher pay scale, the financial burden of being a teacher decreases.
I hope to limit the scope of this project by concluding it when I have sufficient funds to pay the basic bills without the need for additional employment.
I don’t know how long that will take, nor the form in which a solution may arrive.
All Rights Reserved
All copyrights for this creative work are reserved by Bryan Beus.
I may revise, redact, or adapt this story as I deem necessary.
Edit Notes
July 20, 2024: Edited the post to make it more clear that I am using my own experience as inspiration; the story is not intended as an accurate portrayal of my actual financial situation.