A Moscow-based Russian language and literature teacher, Andrey Bardo, has shared his professional journey, from initially earning a modest salary to becoming a school director and ultimately returning to teaching. Bardo’s experiences offer insights into the financial realities and career progression opportunities for educators in the Moscow region.

Bardo began his teaching career after transitioning from journalism, initially accepting a temporary position in a public school with a salary of 25,000 rubles in 2017. He then moved to a private school in the Moscow region, where he found a more creative environment and a higher salary of 40,000 rubles. This marked a turning point in his career, as he embraced modern teaching methods and actively sought feedback to improve his techniques.

Over the next few years, Bardo’s career advanced rapidly within the private school system. He was promoted to Deputy Director for Methodological Work, which allowed him to train and support other teachers, and his salary increased to 70,000 rubles, supplemented by additional income from extra lessons. By 2021, his earnings reached 120,000 rubles, reflecting his multiple roles as a teacher, department head, deputy director, and class leader.

In 2022, Bardo became the school director, with his salary increasing to 130,000 rubles. However, he soon realized that the administrative duties of the position distanced him from his passion for teaching. After two years, he consciously resigned from the director’s role, prioritizing his connection to teaching and acknowledging that the salary did not compensate for the extensive responsibilities.

Following his resignation, Bardo returned to a deputy director position before ultimately moving to another private school in Moscow. He reflected on his experiences, realizing that administrative roles did not align with his career aspirations. Bardo currently supplements his income by teaching online and tutoring, earning an additional 40,000 to 50,000 rubles per month.

Bardo recommends that young teachers remain in the profession, particularly in Moscow and the surrounding region, where salaries are competitive. He also advises teachers to develop their social networks and leverage word-of-mouth referrals to increase their income through tutoring opportunities. While acknowledging the value of higher qualifications for status, he notes that they may not significantly impact income.