- Some of the best side jobs for teachers include online tutoring, test scoring, and education consultant.
- Teachers have an enormous amount of transferable skills, making them valuable assets in almost any industry.
- There are more remote side job opportunities available than ever before.
Has it been your dream to be a teacher and mold the young lives of tomorrow? For the most part, teachers work with students in a classroom setting. The only exception used to be those who traveled to foreign countries or worked as private tutors. Times have changed, and options in the education field are no longer limited to secular or private schools. Teachers are busting out of the classroom. They can’t imagine sitting behind a desk year after year. Thanks to the evolution of computer technology and the Internet, you can teach and educate young minds from the comforts of your own home.
So What Are Your Options Outside of the Classroom?
No matter what your preferred subject or style of teaching, you have more job options than teachers did a decade ago. There are many side jobs for teachers these days which are detailed below. Some of these teaching side jobs can be turned into full-time jobs should you decide to leave the classroom permanently. As you peruse the web for non-traditional teaching jobs, you will find several programs that might fit your qualifications and schedule. The choices are overwhelming. You need to make sure you select a legitimate company with a reputation for paying well and treating their staff well.
Online teaching jobs allow you to share your talent with those who are eager to learn. Are you ready to set the chalk aside and step into the classroom of the future? You may be working with students halfway around the globe, but you will never worry about filling the gas tank or fighting the traffic to and from work. Here are 14 online teaching-related jobs for you to consider. These jobs can be for teachers looking to make extra money or those looking to transition from teaching into the corporate world.
1. Online Tutor
One of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of teaching is finding the time to work with students one-on-one. Do you excel at a particular subject? You can find several reputable online programs that hire certified teachers. After receiving your application and credentials, you will be a tutor for their online clients in your chosen subjects. Skooli is such a platform where you can sign up and begin tutoring and making cash on the side.
While some programs match you with students in your area, others offer the chance to tutor pupils from around the country. You can work with each student in real time. Pay rates and schedules vary with the program you choose. Most online tutoring jobs allow you to work as much or as little as you want and at your convenience.
2. ESL Teaching and Second Language Tutor
In the world of mathematics, science, and technology, English is the go-to language. The English language plays an important role in STEM education. Global high school and college students know that if they are ever going to advance their careers, they must have a mastery of spoken and written English. What better way to learn English than with a native speaker? If you are fascinated with other cultures and meeting people from all over the world, then ESL teaching may be for you. It is an advantage to be a certified teacher with a specialization in ESL, but not all online programs require it.
You may also be required to be certified to tutor for an English proficiency test, such as TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language). In your individual online classes, your students will have the privilege of hearing and speaking the language with a native. In return, your life will be enriched by learning about their language and cultures.
If this sounds like something you would like to pursue, check out Teachaway’s ESL job listings. They list jobs from around the world where you can teach ESL from the comfort of your own home.
3. Textbook Writer
Textbook writing is an active field that’s changing drastically. The typical scenario is that college students go broke trying to pay for their schoolbooks. However, there is another way. Using e-books, learning packets, and other resources, students can afford to go to college and pay for the materials needed for class. The best part is these supplies are inexpensive or even free.
As a teacher, you can use your knowledge to write such materials. You should work directly with a publisher and find one that is looking for the arena of your expertise. While you don’t have to be a teacher to write these books and pamphlets, you do need excellent writing skills. If you want to write materials that are on the college level, then that teaching degree will come in handy. Depending on the company, you can be paid by the hour or by the project. Companies like McGraw-Hill, Macmillan Learning and Cengage are some textbook companies who are always looking for experienced teachers to help in textbook creation or fact-checking.
4. Online Teacher
Forget the blackboard and brick-and-mortar classrooms. Modern teachers can use the internet and teach kids eager to learn using futuristic methods. As in a traditional classroom, you will teach a group of students in the grades and subjects within your certification.
Although some online classroom structures may differ, most require registered students to log into their classes at designated times. Computer cameras allow students and teachers to interact. Virtual blackboards offer you the ease of writing examples for the class, and everyone participates in a regular classroom. Homework and testing are done via computer. The best part is you get to work in the comfort of your home office.
5. Writing Consultant
There are not many people that can write well enough to be published. However, if you have a teaching background in the English sector, then you might want to try out an online writing coach position. These jobs are usually contractual, and the pay is based on the project. The profession can entail many things, which include editing, style formatting, coaching, proofreading, and the ability to meet deadlines.
All coaches must have an immense understanding of the writing progression as well as solid written and oral skills. These positions work with a wide variety of clients and being able to adapt to each situation is essential. Though many companies may not require a teaching degree, it’s certainly going to put you at a higher pay scale as well as open more doors.
Additionally, if you pursue this line of work, consider working independently. Some advice we could give you would be to create your own WordPress website which should include your credentials, your professional experience and any testimonials you have from previous consultant work you’ve done. Once you have your website set up, you can begin promoting your services for free through your social media accounts and through online services such as Upwork.
6. Test Scorer
There are various online and offline educational organizations that need help with test scoring. Who better to handle such a job than a teacher? Most positions pay anywhere from $10 to $20 per hour, and you must take training classes that include an examination at the end. The requirements are a bit stringent and you must pass the test to be approved. Keep in mind that most don’t pay for any training hours either.
There are several companies that offer these positions, and these jobs are usually part-time. If you are bilingual, then the earning potential drastically increases. There are jobs available on middle, high school, and college levels. Companies like Pearson hires Assessment Scorers. Check out the Pearson job portal for opportunities.
7. Educational Consultant
Educational consulting is an exciting job where you can mentor and coach someone for professional development. You need to find a sector within the education system that you feel passionate about. For instance, you may want to help other teachers learn effective methods to educate those with disabilities.
As a consultant, your job is to work with both teachers and administrators to advance the value of courses and school procedures. You can work as a self-employed professional or by being employed by one of the many consulting firms. This is a great career path for those who are frustrated with being in the classroom, tired of policies that don’t work, and long to make a difference.
8. Copywriter
There are a plethora of copywriter jobs available online. While there are good opportunities out there, there are also a lot of scams. It’s best to work with a company that has a proven name in the industry and plenty of good reviews. To do this job successfully, you must be a proven writer with impeccable spelling and grammar skills.
Copywriting is confusing to some people, and they are not sure what it entails. A copywriter is a person who drafts promotional materials for a company. You can create brochures, websites, emails, catalogs, and more. Some people think that a copywriter reviews and proofreads the work of others, but it’s not the case.
You are responsible for drafting high-quality materials to market a company. A teacher is perfect for this job because they had to invent creative ways to “sell” the curriculum to children for years.
9. Blogger
Do you have a knack for writing? Did you know that many professional bloggers are also teachers? Blogging may not be an actual teaching job, but it can be a venue for you to share your interests and talents. Teachers often turn to their colleagues for advice, ideas, and to learn others’ unique styles in the classroom. If arts and crafts are your thing, presenting your ideas as a blog may inspire fellow teachers who want something fresh for their students.
Research tutorials from professional bloggers and find a niche and style that fits you. When you learn how to use online advertisements to monetize your blog and expand your readership, the profits may be enough to supplement or become your sole income. Plus, you will be doing something you truly enjoy. This is a great side job for teachers who enjoys writing and has lots to share.
10. Home-School Consultant
As a home school consultant, you may be involved in everything from choosing the right curriculum to proctoring and grading standardized state tests. You may do it by virtual communication or visiting prospective clients’ homes.
Navigating the process can be daunting for parents, so some certified teachers have become home-school consultants to ease the stress.
To be a successful home-school consultant, you must be familiar with your state’s homeschooling laws and work well with families of different cultures and beliefs.
11. Lesson Plan Creator
One of the hardest jobs for teachers is developing lesson plans to submit to the administration. It can be challenging to keep things fresh and use new and inventive methods to help children learn. Now you can take this career path in a few directions. First, you can create lesson plans for other teachers who need help. Second, you can write the curriculum that other companies sell to the education world. If you’re already creating lesson plans for your current position, this may be one of the easier side hustles for teachers since the work is already done.
It helps to be a passionate and fun person who can think outside the box. The need is not just for the educational system either; classes in HTML or other adult education sessions also need a guided curriculum.
12. eBook Writer
The market is ripe for those who want to try their hand as an e-book writer. Self-publishing seems to be the wave of the future. You can make a small fortune publishing your experiences both in and out of the classroom. Amazon is one of the biggest marketplaces for self-publishing, but it’s not the only one.
With these markets, you get paid for each click on your book’s pages or if someone buys the book in print. There are no upfront costs, and the rewards can be astronomical. Self-help and do-it-yourself guides are big sellers, but don’t underestimate a personal biography and lessons learned in the educational field. It’s a huge market that always has room for a teacher with plenty of stories to tell.
13. Test Developer
Assessments are one of the most useful teaching tools. They help to check a student’s progress and to see if they are absorbing the information presented. The state looks at teacher’s testing scores to see if they are teaching their students effectively. While some books come with practice tests and quizzes, most teachers must create their own examinations. They need your help.
Creating tests is necessary for the educational field, but they are used in other areas too. How many times have you logged in and been asked to answer a few questions to help a company determine your needs?
There are online games and tests that can be fun too. You can take this career path in many ways, but the ability to write examinations that can be utilized by companies around the world is a fun and exciting job opportunity.
14. Selling Online Courses
Many people are born with the knack to teach others, but they don’t have the degree or credentials behind their name. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot create online courses that teachers around the world will use and depend on. How-to courses are extremely popular both in the educational world and beyond.
You can sell these online courses and make a great deal of money. Just think, if you had affiliate partners backing you, you can make money while you sleep. You simply choose a topic that you know a great deal about and create content that people can use. The more popular the topic, the more money you can make.
Some options include making your own website through WordPress and creating a course using a WordPress LMS (learning management system) plugin. Or you can check out some of the most popular LMS platforms that allow you to create and upload your courses directly to the LMS site.
The Bottom Line
Some of these side jobs for teachers mentioned in this article can be turned into full-time positions. Whether you’re a teacher or someone who missed their calling in life, if you have good spelling and grammar, can pay close attention to detail, and know how to market yourself, then there is a place for you in the online job force. When you call the shots, pick your hours, and delve into subject matters that interest you, “going to work” won’t be such a mundane task. Don’t waste your time dealing with the board of education and all the red tape and mandates they require, when you can be your own boss.
If you’ve been in the classroom for a long time, you may need to learn some new skills before you enter the corporate world or decide to venture out on your own. Many of the above suggestions like creating a blog or creating and selling online courses, may require you learn how to use WordPress to create a website. Or, if you prefer, you can contact an educational digital marketing company to do it for you.
If you want to step away from teaching altogether and transition into a career outside of the classroom completely, consider a job in the education technology space. Many teachers are flocking to companies in the ed-tech industry – think Blackboard, Coursera and Chegg. Some of these companies are making major positive changes to the education landscape, and they seek the expertise of teachers to help them navigate some of the challenges they face. Check out this article that discusses who the top education technology companies are and their mission.