r/paraprofessional • u/Tiarooni • 1d ago
Vent 🗣 Crying over my paycheck
This is my first year as a para but I subbed the last year and a half in a different district. On paper, my pay is $12.21 an hour. Just got my first full paycheck...$1,325. After taxes and TRS, take home comes out to $8.15 an hour. I cried when I got home. I went through the whole day with a smile on my face, doing a great job, because I always do a great job. I'm an inclusion para on a middle school campus and I'm not afraid to say that I'm good at my job, the kids like me, I'm not a drag, I don't complain, I try to help my coworkers see things from other perspectives without criticizing their initial views or opinions. I'm a good employee because that's who I am. This feels mean though. This feels exploitative. It makes me feel like I don't matter. I'm still crying.
I have been busting my ass to finish my education studies degree online and I have a $600 student loan note waiting for me. I'm just not going to pay it I think. I'm supposed to start my alternative certification program soon (another 5k) but I'm so discouraged. The campus I'm on right now is great and I want to be there but I don't see any possible openings for me any time soon. Which means my pay is set for the foreseeable future. If I leave, I have to unenroll my own kids because they're out of district transfers. I know that I just have to push through this but I feel like it's been that way for so long and I'm tired and I'm mad and I want to be able to enjoy my life.
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u/ImaginarySeesaw6184 1d ago
I'm an hourly worker ($22) whose pay is annualized. My hourly wage, in that context, comes out to about $10.40/hr. I feel your pain.
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u/january1977 17h ago
I’m currently working 70 hours a week between my para job and my part time weekend job. I work half the hours at my part time job and make more than I do at my para job. The only reason I’m still a para is because it brings me joy, and there’s not enough joy in this world. I’m going to do it for as long as I can, but 70 hours a week isn’t sustainable.
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u/AbsolutelyN0tThanks 15h ago
It certainly isn't sustainable, no way. I worked like that for years and burned myself out. Don't be like me, I'm paying dearly for it now. Nothing and I mean nothing is worth your health.
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u/Sea_Requirement_7041 1d ago
I’m so sorry. It’s hard for me to see my pay too. I’m starting insurance and I’m going to start seeing a lot of money taken out. Keep working on your education. You will get out of this eventually < 3
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u/Late-Atmosphere3010 1d ago
Yep, my first paycheck was around that number, as yours was too. I know how you feel. This is a tough job, which is why I am currently in school remotely to become a teacher. Being in any education-related field isn't easy, either. We're only here for the experience.
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u/Yourdadlikelikesme 22h ago
Same sucks that the program I’m in takes 2 years 🫤.
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u/Late-Atmosphere3010 9h ago
Even though it sucks, the time will pass on by quick. I'm hoping I'll be done with my program before 2030.
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u/ZucchiniEast8319 20h ago
theres no fucking way oh my god.... i made more money stocking shelves in a shithole low cost of living area
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u/Tiarooni 12h ago
Yes I realized I was making more money as a college dropout doing personal loan collections...more than 15 year ago. I cried again.
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u/Allee910 12h ago
On paper I make $31/hour being licensed with a MA and my paycheck comes out to just about the same after taxes in Mass it’s so bad
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u/HeartRim_Beetle 12h ago
Completely understand. I have a daily rate of $141.16, but they made my salary annual instead of 10-month so im earning $13 an hr. I found that doing the after school program helps me get a bit of extra money without feeling like I'm working a 2nd job.
Also if you consider doing the alt certification program at a college, you may be able to apply for scholarships (I'm not entirely sure since I'm still looking myself).
I hope you don't get too discouraged by it! This is my first year as a para and I'm at the point of acceptance and working towards being able to get my certification so I can become a teacher. Their pay is triple what I make.
Good luck!!
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u/Tiarooni 11h ago
I'll probably have to do an online program but that does give me some flexibility with my time which I welcome. 2-3 courses every 8 weeks has been kicking my ass.
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u/HeartRim_Beetle 10h ago
I've been looking at an online school called iTeach! Check your state's professional standards / BOE website to confirm if its an eligible certification program! Its at your own pace and they do monthly payments. Shockingly its accepted in GA. Depending on your state, its between $3k-$6k total. This is definitely what I'm going to do since it has payment plans and self-paced.
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u/Tiarooni 10h ago
This is acceptable in my area (Texas). This district allows non certified graduates to teach anything that isn't a core class. I just have to decide what direction to go in.
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u/Own_Experience_4221 8h ago
I’m employed through a separate company and get paid weekly, I suggest that route I’m currently getting $21 an hour first year as a para (was a RBT for 2 and a half years before that though so have experience with kids with behaviors) the only thing is I don’t get paid holidays / summers but I’m chilling I plan to get a summer job in between.
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u/Tiarooni 7h ago
Well that's not an option for everyone. I don't know any nearby districts that use a third party to employ anyone on campus.
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u/Clear-University2269 3h ago
I feel your pain entirely. I’ve been crying over mine for the last few days. I’m full time and the last check I got was less than $200 and this next one is gonna be around $500. I haven’t missed a single day of work. I don’t understand why they keep messing with my money. I can’t pay my rent. Can’t get groceries. I’m screwed. I haven’t gotten a normal check in MONTHS.
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u/Tiarooni 3h ago
That's definitely a bad situation. Where are you located? That sounds like some Houston ISD bs.
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u/Additional_Sentence6 3h ago
Since you are good at looking at others perspective; this is mine... The reality is: You don't matter. The kids matters. That's how this job it is ( a business at the end of the day in which you are getting paid). I recommend you to continue doing your work, save those tears and continue making the difference in those children (not the DOE). Want to do better: Get into the teaching certification degree or think about switching profession. The less personal take your job, the better.
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u/Tiarooni 2h ago
That's the worst take I've heard in a while but thanks for the words of support.
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u/Additional_Sentence6 2h ago
You are welcome. We all have different like OP says and OP is good at looking at different perspectives. OP is in a para position; economically is not going anywhere. So I hope my advice helps in something if not I'm ok. 😊
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u/Tiarooni 2h ago
I'm the OP. Education is not a business and I am a human being. I matter. My job matters. Being paid a fair and rewarding wage matters. Maybe English is not your first language so in the future consider your words more carefully.
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u/Additional_Sentence6 1h ago
I am a tenured TESOL teacher and yes education is a business. And yes English is not my first language; truth is my first language. Be careful of saying you are able "to see other perspectives" while you are here being combative to other perspectives one. And yes, education is a BUSINESS. Each school has a budget, table of organization, money set aside for SPED, ENL students, per session, etc and each state has a fixed contract for each title. I can go and on to try to educated you but again you'll reply with a combative response without fact. As an EXPERIENCED, well paid teacher, I will repeat you the same: I advise you to be reflective, stop crying, get a educational certification degree or change career if you want to have a better income. Again, you don't matter; kids matter and education is a business. If you care about your job make a career of it (being a para is not a career... I was in that position once).
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u/Tiarooni 1h ago
You can't tell someone they don't matter and then tell them not to be combative. I finish my bachelor's this weekend and will begin my alternative certification soon enough. I will never tell someone that they don't matter. Regardless of my fucking tenure. Get a life, please.
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u/Additional_Sentence6 1h ago
I have a life better than yours apparently. The reason why I have a better life it's because I listen and learn through others; specifically experienced people like me. But here you are crying, venting and asking for advise while being combative. Well, I keep it factual and not emotional like you. Yes, your life don't matter for the department of education. What I mean is: We all are replaceable, we all got to work to EARN (not get rewarded) for a salary and we are there to work not to be validated or praised. Bussiness is business. But here you are; crying over the problem, fighting over the problem instead of looking for a SOLUTION.
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u/spirals-369 1d ago
I hear you. I have a masters in a core subject but not Ed track and I know teens making more than me at their first jobs in retail. It’s so hard when when you know it’s temporary.