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Stacie Baur is a fifth-grade math teacher in the Clairton City School District, Allegheny County. A teacher for 10 years and the holder of a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s in special education, and a certificate in English as a Second Language, Baur’s annual salary is $43,000.
Still facing $130,000 in student loan debt, Baur gets up at 3:30 each weekday to teach online English as a Second Language classes to students in China. On weekends, she teaches the online courses from 3:30 to 9 a.m.
“I love teaching my ESL kids but by the time my (Clairton) students walk through the door I’m halfway through my day.
“Although my husband and I have thought about buying a house and possibly starting a family, the reality is that we don’t know if we can afford it or have time to take care of a family and a house. My school responsibilities and second job leave little time for me to take care of daily chores or spend time with family and loved ones.’’