How are teachers paid over there?

If I would be working in Europe that would definitely be my first question. I won't put any amounts here but it will give you some idea. Let's take a look at a comparison of my pay:
Let's assume 1:1 USD:EUR for convenience
BEFORE TAXES:
US: +60% over Belgian paycheck

The US paycheck includes my health plan, in belgium health care is almost free.
Because the pension/retirement system is totally diferent, it is very difficult to compare "after tax" figures.
The school district takes 10% from your gross pay and matches this amount and puts it into the Arizona retirement fund. The first 10% is always yours at retirement, the part that they put into the fund will be yours when you stay in the district for 5 years. Taking this into account I receive about double in the US after taxes.

My US paycheck doesn't include the bonus I will receive if my kids reach the Arizona standards.(performance pay: +/-$1000 - $3000 extra for the year)

As a teacher you get paid extra for everything you do as an extra: coach for a sports team, being a mentor for new teachers, ...

I will also be tutoring at our school. That is one-on-one teaching and pays $40/hour (paid by the State).

A teacher can choose to be paid for 22 or 26 times. The total amount will be divided in 22 or 26 biweekly payments.

Teachers can have a second job or can do whatever they want during the holidays, in contrary to Belgium where you are not allowed to do extra jobs/work during the summer.

I pay 8-12% taxes on the gross amount of the paycheck.(State AND Federal taxes)

People are paid here every 2 weeks. It helps to keep the American shopping spree intact. Living from paycheck to paycheck is pretty common. We'll try NOT to do that...