Sometimes, for teachers, summer is so busy we can’t breathe. Between enrichment to summer seminars to watching kids who are out of school, there isn’t a free moment. But other times, summer offers an endless vista of time, perfect for a part-time job that provides a nest egg for a special project. Ask a Tech Teacher contributor, Joyce Wilson, has five great ideas that will help you stay busy this summer:
Last year, there were more than 3 million teachers in school systems across the country, and a good many of them find the need to look for at least part-time work during summer breaks. That’s a lot of jobs, and a lot of competition between educators who are all vying for flexible, temporary work. And while there are often jobs to be found in malls and offices during school breaks, there are also opportunities that will allow you to put your experience in education to work.
From tutoring to instructing test preparation classes, there are many places to look for summer work that will give you freedom to enjoy the season as well as some income. Here are five of the best jobs to look for in summer.
Offer your skills as an online teacher
If you’re well-organized and self-motivated, you might do well as an online instructor. Most colleges offer many of their courses online, but there are also options for K-12 educators as well. Check with the school board to see what might be available, or contact local universities and community colleges to ask about job openings. Most offer summer courses, but keep in mind that summer classes are much more concentrated than those offered during the rest of the year, so you might have a heavier workload.
Become a dog boarder with Rover.com
Dog-sitting can be a hugely rewarding endeavor, as working with animals is proven to be calming and fulfilling, and it’s great for educators because it provides an opportunity to put the patience and care you’ve developed as a teacher to good use over the summer. Rover.com offers a place for pet owners and caregivers to find one another — whether they’re in need of someone to help with pet sitting or dog walking — arrange meet-ups, and figure out payment options once you decide the job is right for you. In many cases the owner may bring the dog to you, to look after in the comfort of your own home, while they work or spend time out of town. It’s a chance to earn some extra cash while bonding with a sweet animal, and on a fairly flexible schedule at that.
Look for tutor/instructor opportunities via Craigslist.org
Putting your teaching skills to work can be profitable if you know where to go. You might get in touch with a few parents before the school year ends to let them know you’re available for tutoring, or check out local want ads on Craigslist.org to find posts for instructors. Children’s museums, test prep companies, and adult education classes are also great places to check for employment.
Take a trip and teach abroad
If you want the ability to travel a bit over summer break, teaching abroad might be a wonderful option. You can search online for companies hiring motivated educators to teach English as a second language, for example, and the chance to live in a different country for a few months will be well worth it.
Use your writing skills as a freelancer
Have a flair for writing? Pair it with your knowledge about kids or teaching in general and write for blogs, online magazines, or publishers. Many freelance jobs pay by the article and not all of them require a deadline, giving you a flexible schedule as you earn cash working with what you know. You can check out your favorite blogs — such as HelloGiggles.com or Buzzfeed.com — and read up on their contributor needs. Some publishers require you to pitch an idea before you write the entire article or essay, so do your research first. Freelancing is a great way to earn from home, and if you decide it’s something you really enjoy doing, it can lead to full-time jobs or more opportunities once school is back in session.
There are many places to look for summer work when you have a background in education, and while no one job is right for everyone, there are several options for teachers who want to put their skills to use and make extra money at the same time.
–Photo from Pixabay
Joyce Wilson is a retired teacher with decades of experience. Today, she is a proud grandmom and mentor to teachers in her local public school system. She and a fellow retired teacher created TeacherSpark.org to share creative ideas and practical resources for the classroom.
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
