6 Ways to Make More Money Right Now as a Teacher

Introduction

In the teaching profession, we are more likely than most to have a “side-hustle.” It’s unfortunate, but remember that you also have a skill set that many non-teachers lack. Rather than focusing on your salary (which you have little control over), it’s time to focus on your own financial independence. What can you control when it comes to your income?

Now more than ever (with Covid-19 rolling into summer break), we have extended time off, so why not take a little of that time to find yourself a little supplemental income? Something to help pay the bills, increase your savings, pay for a vacation, or just to give you some piece of mind. The point of this is to help you think of ideas that you may not have considered, because at the end of the day, we’re all in this together. There are many ways you can sell what you are already doing on sites like teachers pay teachers, but I’d like to share a few other ideas:

1. Tutoring online. You already know the topic, and right now there is a high demand for people to help students struggling at home in the US. Sites like TutorMe can help you connect to students outside your area. Or if you really want to help people outside your area, consider tutoring students from other countries looking to learn English. There are over 100 companies in China alone that will pay you to remotely help children learn our language Sites like VIPKid usually pay around $12-$20 an hour and are still looking for teachers.
2. Writing coach. So you are used to reading essays and giving feedback to your students on their writing. Why not take that expertise and do the same for corporations? Companies are always looking for help with emails, presentations, you name it.
3. Online adjunct instructor. Many small colleges are looking for people willing to teach that don’t need a full-time salary or benefits. Your classroom experience in many cases makes you a better fit for the students, as you are giving them something that you know actually works (or doesn’t work). We fully believe this at MTI, since all of our instructors have classroom experience. 
4. Part-time jobs. If you have the flexibility of most teachers, you can find jobs that companies need to outsource by simply applying to sites like Flexjobs or Upwork. Use your skills from the classroom to do freelance work.
5. Take some graduate classes. Most teachers in the US can increase their income by taking graduate courses. We get it, since we’re also still in the classroom (although not lately, but let’s not go there). Check out our catalog of remote-learning courses for teachers.
6. Become an affiliate. For those of you who have a large social following, or are somewhat of an expert in a niche, you can make extra money for posting about the products you are an affiliate for by signing up through their program. Some teachers have become so successful that their “side hustle” has now become their “main hustle”. Check out a partial list here, but there are plenty of opportunities for anyone interested.

These are just a few ideas to get you started thinking about how to improve your financial life. There are plenty more, and just like our students you can find those by continuing to learn. Find what works for you, I personally love podcasts, it’s amazing what is out there these days when it comes to finding information. Just keep learning and trying and you’ll find something that can help you diversify your income. As we’re halfway through 2020, it should be apparent to all of us that we have no idea what the future holds, so it’s best to get started now.

Shawn Bean is the president and co-founder of Midwest Teachers Institute, a low-cost provider of graduate classes for teachers across the US. You can reach him at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to learn more about all the MTI has to offer.