Hey, relief teachers! Tired of waiting by the phone for your next gig? Need to fill the gaps between the classroom calls? Let’s turn that downtime into dollar signs. Here’s how to pad your wallet using the skills you’ve developed as an educator.
1. Sell Those Stellar Lesson Plans
Your lesson plans don’t have to gather dust between assignments. Sell them online! Platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers let you market your best ideas to other educators, so you can sell lesson plans that you have crafted for previous classes or from scratch. Think about it: Your Friday afternoon craft session could be someone else’s Monday morning lifesaver.
2. Tutoring: The Classic Side Hustle
What’s better than teaching a classroom full of students? Teaching one-on-one, where you can actually hear yourself think. Offer tutoring services in your expert subjects. Advertise locally or sign up on websites like Tutor.com. Bonus: You get to choose your clients, which means no surprise pop quizzes from you-know-who.
3. E-Books or Educational Blogs
Got a knack for explaining the intricacies of the English language or the mysteries of mitochondria? Start a blog or write an e-book. Share your knowledge and charge a little something for subscription access or downloads. It’s like being a celebrity in your niche but without paparazzi.
4. Create Educational Videos or Webinars
Turn your living room into a studio and your teaching style into must-see TV. Create educational videos or webinars. Platforms like YouTube or Teachable are great places to start. Who knows? You might just be the next edu-influencer.
5. Summer Camp Guru
When school’s out, the camps are in. Many organisations look for skilled educators to run or assist with summer programs. Whether it’s science, sports or arts, your skills can make summer unforgettable for kids (and profitable for you).
6. Curriculum Development
Many educational companies seek experienced teachers to help design curriculum or testing materials. This gig usually pays well and respects your teaching acumen. You’ll also get to see the future of education (and influence it) before it even hits the classroom.
7. Teach English Online
If you can explain why “read” and “read” don’t rhyme, you can teach English online. Companies like VIPKid or iTutorGroup often seek native speakers to teach English to students globally. Set your schedule, meet new faces, and add some international flair to your resume.
8. Workshop Facilitator
Host workshops for other teachers or students during your off days. Share techniques for managing classrooms or innovative teaching methods. Local libraries or community centers are great venues for these events. Plus, you’ll establish yourself as an expert among your peers.
9. Educational Consulting
If you’re seasoned in the educational trenches, offer your wisdom as a consultant. New schools and veteran educators alike often need advice on everything from regulatory compliance to classroom management. Your experience could save someone else from a “learn the hard way” scenario.
10. Proofreading and Editing
Put your red pen to good use outside the classroom. Freelance as an editor or proofreader. Academics and students alike need help polishing their dissertations, essays and research papers. It’s less about marking them down and more about cheering them across the finish line.
11. Relief Coordinator
If you’ve got a solid network of fellow relievers, consider coordinating relief teacher placements. Act as a middleman between schools and relief teachers for a finder’s fee. It’s like being a reliever matchmaker—bringing together needy classrooms and eager teachers.
12. Test Prep Coach
Become a test prep coach for SATs, ACTs, or other standardised tests. Parents are often willing to pay top dollar for courses or one-on-one coaching that helps their kids excel. It’s rewarding, and you’ll never run out of clients.
13. Adult Education Classes
Many adults are looking to learn new skills, whether it’s cooking, photography, or even basic computer skills. Use your teaching abilities to offer classes through community colleges, local libraries or recreation centres. Your passion and expertise can help others develop their hobbies or enhance their career prospects.
14. Special Needs Education Programs
If you have experience or special certification in special education, offer your services to families or schools that need support outside regular school hours. This can include developing personalised learning plans, providing behavioural support or tutoring students with special needs.
15. Grant Writing for Educational Programs
Schools and non-profit educational programs often need funds to operate and expand. If you have a knack for writing and a deep understanding of educational needs, consider offering grant writing services. This not only supports valuable educational initiatives but also pays quite well.
16. Mobile Science Lab
Convert a van or bus into a mobile science lab and visit schools or community centers to offer hands-on science experiments. This could be incredibly rewarding during the summer or in districts where funding for science education is limited.
17. Educational Product Sales
Partner with educational toy companies or tech firms to sell their products. As a teacher, you can provide valuable insights to both the companies and the buyers, helping to match educational products with the needs of students and schools.
18. Host Teacher Retreats
Organise retreats aimed at helping teachers recharge and learn new skills in a relaxing environment. These can include workshops, wellness activities, and networking opportunities. It’s a way to blend your organising skills with your educational expertise while creating a supportive community.
19. Cultural Exchange Coordinator
Use your educational background to facilitate cultural exchange programs in schools or after-school clubs. This could involve coordinating visits from students from other countries or organising trips abroad. It’s a fantastic way to promote global awareness and understanding.
20. Academic Competitions Organiser
Set up and run academic competitions like spelling bees, math leagues or science fairs. These events are not only educational but also incredibly exciting for students. You can charge a fee for schools to participate or obtain sponsorships to cover the costs.
21. Homework Help Hotline
Establish a hotline or online service where students can call or chat to receive homework help. This service can be particularly popular during exam seasons or for subjects like maths and science, which often require additional support.
22. Educational Podcasts or YouTube Channel
Start a podcast or YouTube channel focused on education topics—anything from teaching tips to discussions about the latest educational research. Monetise your content through ads, sponsorships or memberships.
23. Write for Educational Publications
Use your insight and experience to write articles for educational magazines, blogs, or journals. Many publications pay for well-written content that can help educators or parents navigate the complexities of modern education.
24. Virtual Reality Educational Experiences
If you have some decent tech skills, you could definitely make some money if you were to take the time to develop or collaborate on virtual reality experiences that schools can use to enhance their curriculum and better engage their students. VR in education is growing, and your expertise could help develop immersive and interactive learning experiences.
25. Board Game Night Coordinator
Why not organise educational board game nights at local schools, libraries or community centres? This can be a fun way to make learning enjoyable and interactive, and you can charge a participation fee to cover your expenses, so you can make some money in the side while having lots of fun too.
Being a relief teacher doesn’t mean you can’t have financial stability. With these strategies, you can transform the unpredictability of substitute teaching into a series of exciting money-making opportunities. So go ahead, turn those spare hours into cash, and maybe even have a little fun along the way!
Partnered Post. May contain affiliate links.
