Teaching is one of those professions that requires you to know how to do a little bit of everything. I've known teachers to be educators, babysitters, counselors, tech support, project managers, artists, journalists, interpreters, rule makers, repair people, and coaches - all in the same day.
So when it comes to side hustles, it should be no surprise that the unique set of skills teachers have offer many opportunities. Some options are more obvious, like tutoring, but there are some that you may not have considered like freelancing writing or selling digital products.
If you're a teacher looking for some extra income, check out this list of 11 side hustle ideas!
Local Tutoring
Offering in-person tutoring services in the community. This can be for school subjects, test prep, or even hobby-related topics like music or art. Tutoring can be flexible and tailored to fit into after-school hours or weekends, so it's an ideal side hustle for teachers.
Curriculum Development
Working with educational companies or schools to develop or revise curricular materials, utilizing their classroom experience to inform content creation. This could involve creating lesson plans, worksheets, e-books, or even entire course modules for schools, homeschooling parents, or online education platforms.
Proofreading and Editing
You can offer proofreading and editing services for products like academic papers, college essays, or online articles. Some companies hire freelancers to help review websites or marketing campaigns for grammar and spelling before they are launched.
Educational Product Sales
Create and sell educational products like flashcards, educational games, or learning kits that help support learning in your subjects of expertise. As a teacher, you know what engages students and aids in learning and can provide helpful materials other teachers or educators can use in their own lessons.
Part-time Coaching or Mentoring
Work as a coach or mentor for youth sports, academic clubs, or other extracurricular activities. Whether it’s sports, academic clubs like debate or science, or creative subjects like drama or art, your ability to guide and inspire students makes you perfect for this role.
Childcare or After-school Programs
These programs often focus on providing homework help, extracurricular activities, and socialization opportunities for children. You could design activities that are educational, recreational, or a mix of both, ensuring that children remain engaged and safe until their parents can pick them up.
Professional Development Trainer
This role involves designing and delivering training sessions that help teachers improve their instructional techniques, integrate new technologies into their classrooms, or adopt innovative educational practices. Your workshops could cover a any topic, from classroom management and student engagement to specific curriculum tips and methods of testing students.
Freelance Writing for Education Blogs or Magazines
You can write articles, blog posts, instructional materials, or even ebooks that share your insights in the classroom. Freelance writing also offers flexibility in terms of time and space, so you can work from home, on your time and pick the work you want to do.
Virtual Assistant
Teachers can transition seamlessly into the role of a virtual assistant, especially those who excel in organization, communication, and time management. As a virtual assistant, you would provide administrative support to businesses or small business owners from a remote location. Tasks might include managing emails, scheduling appointments, organizing meetings, or handling customer inquiries.
Teaching Skills Workshops
Create videos in areas like public speaking, effective communication, or creative writing and post on platforms like Youtube or Facebook Reels. You may provide workshops to aspiring teachers to help them gain skills needed in the classroom, or explain things you wish you knew at the beginning of your career.
ESL Teaching
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) online to students from non-English speaking countries. You can do this from home on an online platform, a local community center, or private tutoring. This is especially beneficial if you are multilingual and can offer translation services.
As you can see, the skills that make great educators also make great entrepreneurs, creators, and consultants. If you're a teacher looking to increase your income, you can easily lean into your professional experience. Your side hustle can not only boost your income but also expand your skill set and continue making a meaningful impact outside the classroom.
Still looking for some ideas? Check out this list of skills that can be used to turn into profitable side hustles.
PIN IT
