I am a teacher in Alaska. I earn no Social Security and no pension. I won't have enough money to retire with any dignity after a life of public service. I won't even be able to afford medical coverage if I do retire. I can't afford to buy a home and I won't be able to leave anything to my child. I put off having kids because the job was so consuming and I couldn't afford childcare on an Alaskan teacher salary. When we finally did, it was too late to have more than one. My health has suffered from the stress of teaching and financial insecurity. I have nothing to look forward to; there is no light at the end of this tunnel. I am too far in to reinvent myself and I have spent my career giving more than I've received. I am a teacher and I fucked up by choosing this career.