Teacher Salary Struggles
In a time when three out of four Americans say their incomes are not keeping up with inflation, and two out of three report feeling stressed about their finances, one woman’s story is putting a human face to the numbers.
Meet Michelle Carter, a 35-year-old elementary school teacher and single mother of three living in rural Alabama. With a salary of just $37,000 a year, Michelle has become an unintentional voice for millions of Americans who are quietly struggling to stay afloat. Her story highlights not only the economic pressures many families face, but also the emotional and physical toll of doing more with less.
Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Every dollar in Michelle’s household is spoken for before she even receives her monthly paycheck. After taxes, her take-home pay is closer to $2,400 per month. Out of that, $950 goes toward rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment, forcing her to share a room with her youngest child. Another $600 disappears into utilities, gas, and car insurance — the bare minimum needed to get to work and keep the lights on.
What’s left goes toward groceries, school supplies, clothing, and the ever-increasing costs of child care. Even with government assistance like WIC and free lunch programs, Michelle says she often has to choose between paying a bill and buying enough food for the week.
“I cut corners everywhere,” she says. “We don’t go out to eat. I don’t buy myself clothes. The last time I took my kids to the movies was three years ago. Every decision feels like a tradeoff.”
A Teacher and a Parent—All the Time
Michelle wakes up at 5 a.m. to prepare lunches, review lesson plans, and get her kids ready for school. After teaching all day, she picks up her children from two separate after-school care programs, prepares dinner, helps with homework, and often grades papers late into the night. She has no co-parenting support and can’t afford after-hours babysitting.
“I love teaching, but I’m exhausted,” she admits. “There are nights when I go to bed hungry because there wasn’t enough dinner for all of us. I just want my kids to eat and not worry.”
The Impact of Inflation
While prices at the grocery store and gas pump continue to climb, Michelle’s salary has remained nearly stagnant for years. In fact, adjusted for inflation, her income has actually declined. What used to cover basic living expenses no longer stretches far enough.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average living wage required for a single adult with three children in Alabama is over $78,000 — more than double what Michelle earns.
A Broken System
Michelle’s story is just one of many across America. Teachers in particular are facing mounting pressure. According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary for teachers in the U.S. is just over $42,000 — and in some states, far less.
Many educators are leaving the profession due to burnout, low pay, and lack of respect. But Michelle continues to show up for her students, even while the system fails to show up for her.
“I stay because I believe in education,” she says. “But believing in it doesn’t pay the bills.”
A Call for Change
Michelle’s situation underscores a broader problem that’s been building for decades: wages have stagnated, while the cost of living has skyrocketed. The result is that millions of Americans, particularly single parents, are doing everything right — working full-time, avoiding debt, budgeting carefully — and still coming up short.
As lawmakers debate minimum wage increases and education funding, stories like Michelle’s serve as a stark reminder of the real-life impact of policy decisions. Until change happens, she continues to fight — for her kids, for her students, and for a better future.
“Some days, it feels impossible,” Michelle says quietly. “But I keep going because I have to. My kids are counting on me.”
