I’m in Teaching for the Money

There was a time I earned just ₦8,000 a month. It was barely enough to cover transportation, let alone anything else. At the same time, I was earning much more from tutoring students privately and selling a book I had written. That experience was a turning point for me—it made me realize that while teaching is rooted in passion, it’s also a profession that deserves fair compensation.

The truth is, passion is important. It’s what keeps us going when the work gets hard, when the students need extra care, and when challenges arise. But passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. It shouldn’t be a reason to accept poor wages, especially when we bring so much value to the table as educators.

Valuing Your Work

Some employers in the education sector take advantage of this “passion narrative” to guilt teachers into accepting low pay. It’s almost as if the fact that we love what we do is supposed to be a replacement for proper remuneration. This is a mindset we need to move away from.

Teachers deserve to be paid well, just like professionals in other fields. We have families to support, goals to achieve, and dreams beyond the classroom. That’s why it’s important to negotiate salaries, advocate for fair wages, and refuse to settle for less.

Acknowledging Dedicated Service

Now, I want to emphasize that this doesn’t mean every teacher should aim to work only in top-paying schools. There are educators who have chosen to dedicate themselves to teaching in rural communities or low-income schools. This kind of service is invaluable, and it’s something not everyone can do. It reflects a deep commitment to making a difference where it’s needed most, and it deserves to be celebrated.

That said, teachers working in these areas can still explore other ways to supplement their income. Whether it’s through tutoring, creating resources, consulting, or venturing into education-related businesses, the goal is to ensure financial stability while continuing to make an impact.

Diversifying Income Streams

Relying solely on a classroom salary can be limiting, and I speak from experience. When I was earning ₦8,000 as a teacher, I realized I needed to look beyond the paycheck. I started tutoring after school and selling my book, which significantly boosted my earnings. It gave me the freedom to stay in teaching without feeling trapped financially.

There are so many opportunities in education beyond the classroom—creating online courses, designing lesson plans, consulting for schools, or even starting a blog or YouTube channel to share your expertise. Teachers are resourceful, creative, and hardworking, and those qualities can open doors to additional income streams.

The Bigger Picture

Being in teaching for the money doesn’t mean you’re not passionate. It means you understand your worth and value your profession enough to demand what you deserve. It means you’re not afraid to explore opportunities that align with your skills and interests.

So, to all my fellow teachers: let’s strive for balance. Let’s pour our hearts into our work, but let’s also prioritize our financial well-being. Passion and fair compensation can go hand in hand, and when they do, everyone benefits—teachers, students, and the education system as a whole.

Let me know what you think in the comments.