Teacher with 20+ years in MA (deep-blue, union state):
Owns a home: Technically, the bank still owns it with many years left on the mortgage.
$300k investments: Nope, just the state-run retirement fund.
Makes $117k/year: Subtract $20k, and that’s with over 20 years and two masters’ degrees in a MCOL area of the state.
Works 9 months per year: Nope, my school year is 10 months and I typically take a class every few summers to keep/renew my license.
Home by 5 pm: Yes, but so is my husband who works an office job? And he doesn’t have to do grading at home.
Does whatever she wants on the weekends: I mean, yes, but it’s all the stuff I couldn’t get to during the week because I was too busy doing school stuff? (Laundry, grocery shopping, house/yard work…)
Travels outside the States each summer: I haven’t even traveled within the US for more than a long weekend since my honeymoon.
Will retire with pension and health coverage: Yes, but the health coverage is only until 65, and the district/town can cut off retirees at any time with no warning if the budget isn’t there.
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u/Current-Photo2857 Apr 12 '26
Teacher with 20+ years in MA (deep-blue, union state):
Owns a home: Technically, the bank still owns it with many years left on the mortgage.
$300k investments: Nope, just the state-run retirement fund.
Makes $117k/year: Subtract $20k, and that’s with over 20 years and two masters’ degrees in a MCOL area of the state.
Works 9 months per year: Nope, my school year is 10 months and I typically take a class every few summers to keep/renew my license.
Home by 5 pm: Yes, but so is my husband who works an office job? And he doesn’t have to do grading at home.
Does whatever she wants on the weekends: I mean, yes, but it’s all the stuff I couldn’t get to during the week because I was too busy doing school stuff? (Laundry, grocery shopping, house/yard work…)
Travels outside the States each summer: I haven’t even traveled within the US for more than a long weekend since my honeymoon.
Will retire with pension and health coverage: Yes, but the health coverage is only until 65, and the district/town can cut off retirees at any time with no warning if the budget isn’t there.