What a decade of teaching costs.

I was in high school when I decided I wanted to become an English teacher.

My inspiration came from a combination of things: a deep love of reading, the intellectual thrill I felt in AP Literature reading selections like Waiting for Godot, and the genuine joy of speaking in front of a class. What really validated my presence in the classroom was when teachers would ask for my analysis—curious to hear whether I had drawn connections between the texts and real-world events, or if I saw deeper symbolism in the characters.

So, I went to university to become a teacher.

And then I became one.

I spent seven years teaching high school students.

Then, seeking something more challenging, I shifted to teaching younger children the Montessori way.

After a decade in education, I’ve learned the cost of this path. It’s high. And not just financially.

1. There’s no celebration from local leadership, no nod from the state or federal level, and no appreciation from school boards. The farthest praise a great teacher might receive is from parents and students—and yes, that is the most meaningful recognition of all. But imagine a society where exceptional teachers were truly celebrated. Imagine if Western culture honored educators the way Eastern cultures often do. Imagine if teachers in the U.S. were paid like lawyers or doctors, as they are in countries like Switzerland.
2. The teacher certification process in the U.S. is costly and time-consuming. A bachelor’s degree alone can cost anywhere from $27,000 to nearly $60,000 per year, depending on the school. Over four years, that adds up to over $100,000. On top of that, certification and training costs can tack on thousands more. (Source: Joblist.com)
3. The work doesn’t end when the bell rings. Teachers typically work 2–3 hours beyond their scheduled day—every day. (Source: CareerVillage.org)
4. We do a lot more than just teach. We become counselor, social worker, therapist, mentor, and advocate for students. There usually isn’t any extra pay—but we do it because we care about the socio-emotional well-being of our students and the families they come from.
5. And sometimes, we do all of this in toxic work environments, surrounded by competition over raises and roles, while dealing with ineffective leadership or coworkers who don’t pull their weight. It’s mentally and emotionally draining.
6. To top it off, there is often little room for innovation and personal growth—perhaps the hardest pill to swallow in the field of education.

To mark this milestone, I shared a photo on Instagram: me holding balloons shaped like the number 1 and 0—celebrating 10 years of commitment to education.

In the last five years, I’ve stepped into a new chapter as a business owner—what some call an edupreneur—and took my future into my own hands. If it weren’t for my late mentor, Stacie Buechel, who taught me how to build and run a business with care and confidence, I wouldn’t be where I am today.