Hi, I'm Tamara. I work at an elementary school as an early literacy tutor. Essentially, I teach kids in kindergarten through 5th grade to read if they are behind. During the school year, I run 10 small groups of 2 to 8 kids. I teach from ABCs to advanced sounds. While the job is rewarding, it doesn't pay much, just under $20 an hour. I don't own a car; I mostly walk everywhere I go and occasionally use the bus if I go somewhere other than work. My pay just covers rent and bills during the school year.

As it's summer, I don't have hours at my regular job. Most summers, I have been able to get summer work, tutoring or babysitting, but this year it's been tough to find summer employment without the money for transportation.