Teachers with a lot of years in the system are not doing so badly -- some NY teachers, with 20 years in, now make over $100K per year. And, they don't need any 2nd job at ther GAP. They probably don't care too much about a $2,000 bonus, either. But for new teachers making $25,000 in some places (and, yes, some teachers are still paid that little). they are having a tough time.
there are people who started at WalMart and at McDonalds who now earn 6 figures, but their starting pay looked like a teacher. We all start low and work our way up.