MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee woman stepped away from her 28-year career as a kindergarten teacher, “Specifically because of COVID.”
Rona Wolfe is not alone and these decisions have far-reaching effects on our state of education.
Mark Schug, professor at UW-Milwaukee warns, “There’s this attitude among a lot of teachers that they really can’t be financially fit. They feel they don’t earn much income and that they’re always going to be strapped.”
This is why he co-authored the book, "Teachers Can be Financially Fit." He shares what a second-grade teacher said to him when he showed her this new book: “She said with a big smile, ‘Oh, its a joke book!’”
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He says this year may be the perfect time for a teacher to find a side hustle.
“That’s the one thing that the coronavirus has opened up a lot of opportunities for teachers to be doing tutoring to be working with parents," said Schug.
Rona already has side hustles, including as a tutor through the website TheLearningMatch.com. She is also a mentor for social justice programs in schools.
Professor Schug hopes more teachers realize their worth and continue to save.
“Hiding little amounts away into a nice investment account and we get that compounding interest working in your favor," said Schug.
For Rona, she cannot wait to be back in the classroom, soon.
Here is your Rebound Rundown:
- Try to increase your retirement savings by one percent each year.
- Find a side hustle in the field you are in — and save that money!
- You can also read Professor Schug’s new book by clicking here.