Teaching is said to be the most rewarding and meaningful job. But like every other, you may need a break once in a while, or you’re looking down at the extended barrel of retirement and need something to keep yourself busy and keep an income.
With your teaching skills and experience, there are plenty of other opportunities you can consider that would be right up your alley. With some of them, you don’t need any additional training, allowing you to continue making money and get the best out of skills within a short time.
Here are some great career alternatives you should consider as a teacher and why teachers would make great professionals in different fields.
Tutoring
Private tutoring as a teaching alternative comes as a no-brainer to most teachers. It is one of the alternatives where additional training may not be necessary. Here are a few reasons why tutoring is an excellent job for teachers:
You can Continue to Help Students
Teachers have a passion for helping students and learning. They have a knack for keeping students engaged on various subject matters, no matter how mundane the topic. With tutoring, you can continue helping students master the subjects you have an interest in. The best part is that you are your boss, and the hours and work are not as demanding as teaching.
Teachers Know How to Teach the Subject Matter
You already know the subject matter, and you have taught it for years to different students. You have the benefit of a teacher’s certification and training, which gives you practical tools and methods that you can channel into tutoring. Teachers know the specific learning objectives that the learners will be tested on and are better suited to help them achieve their goals.
Teachers Have Experience Meeting a Child’s Learning Needs
On-the-job experience matters in all professions, and the same applies to tutoring. There are no reasons tutors should be any different. Beyond the classroom, every state requires teachers to complete annual professional development. The qualifications and experience teachers have come in handy in tutoring, eliminating most of the learning curve and improving the results they deliver to the learners they work with.
Teachers are Vetted Professionals
Teachers must pass a rigorous background check as part of their hiring process. The same applies to most tutoring agencies, which means teachers will easily pass the vetting, and most tutoring agencies will be confident in hiring them.
Tutoring allows former and current teachers to make a decent income while living their best lives with a more favourable work-life balance. With tutoring, you get to enjoy flexibility and schedule your tutoring sessions when you want.
Most tutoring positions are remote, which allows you to choose where and when you work. This is a huge benefit for teachers who want to travel and enjoy the world.
Administration – Principal, Vice-Principal
If you love the school setting but want to spend less time in class, consider upgrading to a vice principal or principal. You still get to help kids learn by becoming an administrator and responsible for a specific facet of your school, such as operations or culture.
As an administrator, you will wear many hats throughout the day, including meeting with parents and helping teachers refine their instructional approach.
If you’re lucky enough to move into administration in a school where you were a teacher, you have the benefit of knowing your school’s families, students and employees on a level that will garner instant respect as you take up the new role.
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer is another lazy answer for teachers who want to leave the classroom. It’s very similar to teaching, but you only work on planning and the curriculum. This is why instructional designing is one of the most preferred alternative careers for teachers.
Although instructional design doesn’t pay as well as teaching in Australia, it gives you a much-needed break from classroom management, which is a huge bonus. Another reason to consider being an instructional designer is that it is a job that is regularly advertised by universities, which makes it an excellent option if you’re looking to get into the tertiary education sector.
Teachers make good instructional designers because they have a deep understanding of education principles and pedagogical approaches. They are also skilled in analysing learning needs, identifying objectives and designing effective instructional strategies that meet these goals.
Additionally, teachers have experience in developing interactive and engaging learning materials such as learning materials, assessments, and activities tailored to different learners’ needs and preferences. The strong grasp of curriculum that teachers pick up through the years also comes in handy when aligning the instructional outcome with the desired learning outcome.
Publishing
Another potential career that is easily accessible by teachers is publishing. As a publisher, the teacher will work with authors who publish learning materials. The textbooks and digital resources used in classrooms go through publishers, and with your experience and understanding of education, this could be low-hanging fruit for you.
Publishing is a perfect role for teachers with a strong understanding of specific subjects such as maths, science, or the humanities.
The most attractive thing about publishing is that it pays well. Bonuses and commissions depend on how well the books and materials you release are in the market.
Teachers make good publishers because:
- They have expertise in educational content development, and they understand instructional needs
- They possess expansive knowledge of curriculum standards, learning objectives and pedagogical approaches, which allows them to create effective and engaging educational materials
- Teachers are skilled at breaking down complex concepts into accessible and structured formats, which makes them adept at writing and editing content for different grades and subjects
- They have experience in designing assessment activities that enhance student learning and can apply these skills to develop comprehensive and well-organised educational resources.
- Teachers have a keen eye for detail and are committed to quality. They can ensure that their published materials meet the necessary high standards. With their firsthand experience in the classroom, they have insights into students’ needs and interests, enabling them to create educational materials that are relevant, impactful, and engaging.
Event Planner
Event planning is a career path for teachers who want to leave the education sector without having to acquire new skills.
If you’re a teacher, you’ve probably had to take on the responsibility of event planning some time in your career. It can be an annual art show, a school play, or a sports event. It’s a job you’re expected to do on top of your current duties.
Now that you’re looking for something out of teaching, you can use the skills acquired and turn them into a money-making career.
With even planning, you can decide to start your own company or apply for a role in event planning in a company. You can specialise in planning events for teachers, which allows you to continue mingling with colleagues and other like-minded individuals without being in a classroom.
Teachers can make good event planners because they:
- Have strong planning and organisational skills
- Are skilled in managing resources and budgeting and ensuring the logistics are smooth and flawless, which are crucial aspects of event planning
- They are already accustomed to classroom management, such as lessons, field trips, and activities, which demands meticulous attention to detail and is necessary for effective scheduling.
- Are adept at communicating with different stakeholders and parties and can apply these interpersonal skills to collaborate with vendors, venues and participants in event planning
- Have the ability to adapt to unforeseen and sudden circumstances and remain calm and organised, which is perfect for the fast-paced and dynamic nature of event planning
- Teachers are creative, with unique problem-solving abilities that allow them to design engaging and memorable events that align with their desired objectives.
Final Thoughts
As a teacher, you don’t have to be tied down to teaching online. There’s a wide range of other professions you can pursue that not only have promising pay but can help you live a more balanced life.
Before looking into the different other jobs that teachers can do, it’s important to start by asking yourself why you’re looking around. This will help you choose the best career path that best addresses your needs and wants. If you want something related to teaching, just out of the classroom, tutoring is an excellent choice. There’s also instructional design that can allow you to put all your teaching experience into practice in another field. Event planning is a great choice for teachers who want to use their skills in a different field that is not related to teaching, students or classrooms.
