South San Francisco Unified School District loses nearly 14% of its high school teachers annually. Want to know why? Play this game and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that Bay Area educators face on a daily basis.
Money : This is your savings account. You currently have $10,000 that you saved up during college.
Energy: The energy and time spent on things related to your job.
Motivation: This refers to your motivation to stay in the teaching profession.
Congratulations! You just finished earning your teaching credential and accepted your first job at South San Francisco High School, where you’ll be making $59,784 a year. You saved up $10,000 while working during college. Where are you going to live?
This description will automatically change based on previous choice
$61,207! It will continue to climb up the district's salary schedule each year, but unfortunately, so does inflation, so you'll still have to be frugal with your other expenses.
You just became advisor of a new student club that is unique to the school's community. Although you’re happy to do it, you realize you now have a lot on your plate.What do you do?
Staying as a club advisor earns you $325 per year, but it would take more time out of your day.This description will automatically change based on previous choice
Tenure provides job security for teachers who have demonstrated their ability to effectively educate their students, meaning they cannot be fired without due process. Critics of tenure, however, argue that it can protect ineffective teachers, making it difficult for schools to remove underperforming teachers.
It's summer and your friends want to go traveling since you get the two months off. However, your budget is a little tight. What do you do?
Teaching summer school would earn you about $5,400, but it takes time off from your vacation time.This description will automatically change based on previous choice
You and your partner decide to move in together. What do you do?
This description will automatically change based on previous choice
You’re considering going back to school part-time to earn some additional credits to boost your salary. What do you do?
Going back to school increases your salary about 2% a year, but you still have to pay fees for your education and put in the time.
This description will automatically change based on previous choice
Your colleague and closest friend is leaving South San Francisco High School to teach at a nearby district. She suggests you do the same since the salary is much higher and the opportunities are better. What do you do?
This description will automatically change based on previous choice
Congratulations! You and your partner are going to have a baby. However, you’re concerned about the added expenses this will bring, especially for the price of daycare. What do you do?
This description will automatically change based on previous choice
Oh no! Your partner just lost their job as well as their health insurance for themselves and your child. What do you do?
This description will automatically change based on previous choice
You’re feeling burnout from work. You’ve considered transferring to a higher paying district but only 12 of your teaching years will carry over, and you don’t want to start over somewhere new. What do you do?
This description will automatically change based on previous choice