In most school districts, you’ll enroll in your school district’s health plan. This typically includes medical, dental, vision and other insurance costs for you and your family. 

Most professionals work roughly 260 days per year, whereas teachers typically work around 180 days! Vacation days will vary by school district, but you can generally expect: 

• Spring break
• December holiday break
• National holidays off
• Paid personal & sick days during the school year
• Time off during the summer. Teachers use this time to travel, explore professional development, relax or work elsewhere. Some districts offer summer positions for teachers, such as summer school or curriculum development jobs.

Each state handles teacher retirement differently, but in many places, you’ll contribute a portion of your salary to your state’s retirement system. Your employer will often also make a contribution to the statewide fund. 

Your contributions, your employer’s contributions and the contributions of other employees earn interest over time. These add up, so you’ll be financially secure when it’s time to retire.  

States also set their own rules about when you can retire. Most require you to reach a certain age and have taught for a certain number of years. Look up your state department of education to learn about your state’s retirement rules for teachers. 

Stepping into a classroom could mean stepping out of debt. Loan forgiveness programs cancel your remaining student loans (meaning you don’t have to pay them back!) in exchange for a commitment to teach for several years.

Check to see if your state offers loan forgiveness options for teachers. Here are a few loan forgiveness programs offered through the federal government: 

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program: The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program helps public school teachers with federal student loans. Teachers in certain shortage areas, including math, science and special education can receive up to $17,500 in forgiven loans. If you teach a different subject, you can still get up to $5,000! Learn how to qualify. 

Perkins Loan Cancellation: You can get 100 percent of your Perkins loans canceled if you teach for five years! Learn more about Perkins Loan Cancellation.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: If you work full-time in a public service field (like teaching!) for 10 years, you can get your remaining student loans forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Learn more.

Buying a house is expensive, but there are resources to find a home in the community where you teach. As a teacher, you’re eligible for assistance with a down payment or a reduced interest rate on your mortgage.

Your school district or state may have housing assistance programs for teachers. You can also explore these federal programs:

Good Neighbor Next Door: The federal government created Good Neighbor Next Door to contribute to community revitalization and to support people in service professions (like teaching).

Good Neighbor Next Door offers a discount of 50 percent from the list price of qualifying homes. The home inventory changes weekly, so if you don’t see something in your area right away, it’s worth checking back!

Teacher Next Door: Teacher Next Door helps classroom teachers become homeowners in the communities where they work. The program offers a wide range of support, including:

• Housing grants
• Down payment assistance
• Home loans
• Preferred interest rates

Homes for Heroes: Homes for Heroes helps make the home buying, selling or refinancing process easier for educators (and saves teachers money in the process)!

Want to continue your teacher education? Many school districts offer tuition reimbursement and professional development funds, for things like conferences or trainings.

Building your skills can increase your knowledge and your pay. It also helps districts retain top-notch educators, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

Many people are eager to support classrooms. Whether it's funding a field trip, helping you outfit your classroom with new technology, or providing supplies such as books, paper and other materials, there are ways to connect with donors willing to help.

One popular method is to set up an account on Donors Choose which offers a free account to teachers. On the site, you can specify your classroom needs and the site will match you with people looking to give.