Thousands of miles away from the impasse in Washington DC, the effects of the government shutdown are being felt around the world. While President Donald Trump found a way to temporarily pay U.S. troops, others on the base are not so lucky, including teachers and support staff.
Donna Irwin, a substitute teacher at a naval base in Italy. She says the impact is deeply felt. “It was absolutely devastating to see and morale at the school was low,” Irwin said.
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Some American teachers abroad are barred from taking second jobs, while the government shutdown leaves military school staff abroad unpaid.
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) operates 161 schools in 11 countries, seven states and two territories across 10 time zones. There are nearly 900,000 military-connected children living worldwide, 67,000 of whom are enrolled in DoDEA schools and served by more than 14,000 employees.
Athletics and co-curricular activities are also currently considered exempt activities.
The Chief of Communications Operations for the Department of Defense Education Activity recognizes the challenges faced by teachers and staff working without pay during the government shutdown.
Irwin feels fortunate that her husband still receives a salary as a sailor, but with half their income suspended, they are cutting back. She says even when the government reopens, reimbursement could take a while.
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Especially here, you feel forgotten because we are here to support that mission – as Department of Defense contractors, as spouses and family members of the service members. You know, these bases, these installations – they really don’t function without us, without our vital jobs and our support,” she said.
It’s a unique situation for Americans living abroad. For many, they are not allowed to take a second job off base under their contract agreements. Living away from family who could help adds to the stress. Some simply try to explain to European landlords that their employer is not sending a salary and that they cannot pay the rent or utility bills.
Some teachers at military bases abroad are paying out of pocket for snacks and school supplies for their students, working without compensation during the government shutdown. (John Moore/Getty Images)
“We often forget all these little things that we have with automatic payments – everything from streaming services to healthcare needs – and they have to dig deep into their bank accounts and cancel all these, you know, car insurance, your vehicle,” Irwin said.
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Despite the closure, teachers say their students still come first and the mission continues — even if it means footing the bill for snacks and school supplies. Irwin works in a special education classroom, teaching essential life skills such as cooking and cleaning.
“I don’t have the budget for that in my current class, so I had to go to the commissary myself and try to buy things that I can’t afford right now for these students who desperately need these life skills,” Irwin said. “I think the saddest thing for me to watch is to see my students come in, and they don’t quite understand everything that’s going on with government and with politics and to see them concerned, to see them worried about, am I going to eat tomorrow, am I going to eat today?”
