You can enroll you and your family in your school district’s health plan. This typically includes comprehensive medical, dental, vision and other insurance costs. 

Vacation days will depend on your district, but in general you can expect: 

• Spring break
• December holiday break
• National holidays off
• Paid personal & sick days during the school year

As you probably know, teachers also get a long summer break. Teachers use this time to travel, explore professional development, relax or work elsewhere. Some districts offer summer positions for teachers, such as summer school classes or curriculum development jobs.

In Texas, you’ll receive retirement funds through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. You can receive retirement benefits if you: 

• Are 65 and have completed at least five years of in-state teaching service.
• Are 62 and your combined age and years of service equal at least 80.

How does teacher retirement work in Houston?

During the span of your teaching years, you’ll contribute 7.7 percent of your salary to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Your employer also makes a contribution that goes into the statewide fund. 

Your contributions, your employer’s contributions and the contributions of other Texas employees earn interest over time. Those contributions add up, so you’ll be financially secure when it’s time to retire. (6)

Stepping into a classroom could mean stepping out of debt. There are a number of loan forgiveness opportunities for teachers. These 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.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

Teacher Loan Forgiveness benefits every public school teacher with federal student loans.

Teachers in certain shortage areas, including math, science and special education can receive up to $17,500. If you teach a different subject, you can still get up to $5,000 in forgiven loans. 

Perkins Loan Forgiveness

You can get up to 100% of your Perkins loans forgiven if you teach a shortage area subject in a school that serves low-income students. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you’ve worked full-time in a public service field (like teaching!) for 10 years, you may qualify to have your remaining student loans forgiven through Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Qualifying fields include government service, nonprofits and public education.

Buying a house is expensive, but there are resources to help teachers find a home in the community where they teach.

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. The U.S. Department of Housing and Development offers a discount of 50% from the list price of qualifying homes.

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

Texas State Affordability and Housing Corporation

The Texas State Affordability and Housing Corporation, or TSAHC, helps teachers, public service workers and low-income families become homeowners. TSAHC offers a wide range of home-buying support, including:

• Mortgage tax credits
• Down payment assistance
• Fee waivers 

Homes for Heroes

Homes for Heroes assists educators by making the home buying, selling or refinancing process easier (and saving teachers money in the process)! Learn more about Homes for Heroes.

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