The average American teacher makes $72,000, but one in three are so broke they’re taking on side hustles like Uber driving

The American Dream has long promised that hard work leads to stability. But for teachers who dedicate themselves to preparing the next generation, long hours in the classroom aren’t translating into financial security.

Over half of K–12 teachers report that they are just “getting by” financially—with one in five reporting they find it difficult to live on their present income, according to a new study by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation. That financial strain has forced many educators...