Teaching can be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but let us be honest with each other....it can also be the toughest.
Except for the extremely long hours of marking, lesson planning and trying to educate learners, the discipline in schools have gone down the drain. Literally!
Students are entitled and disrespectful and because of this, we are losing many good teachers. Teachers cannot take the pressure anymore and leave the profession for greener pastures. It is not always easy to find a new job or to actually fit in because as teachers we are set in our ways.
We are overworked and underpaid. If you don't want to leave your job, and only want a side hustle to earn more money ( Remember side hustles could become permanent jobs) you can create your own opportunities online without leaving education completely behind.
Let us think about a few possible side hustles that can bring in a little bit of extra money in a realistic way.
1. Sell Educational Resources
Teachers are creators by nature. Every worksheet, activity, or lesson plan you’ve designed is a potential product. Many platforms allow you to upload resources and sell them to other educators worldwide.
The beauty of it is if you create one, you can sell it multiple times. This can turn your hard work into passive income.
2. Write and Self-Publish Books
Have you ever thought about writing a children’s storybook, a short novel, or even a guide for parents? Thanks to platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you can publish a book without needing a traditional publisher.
On KDP you can just follow their instructions and publish a book. With AI today you can easily create pictures etc to use in the book without getting an illustrator. They even print books and send it to customers.
Once a book is published, it can bring in a passive income.
3. Tutoring Online
Online tutoring is booming! With high travel costs and limited time it is extremely easy to set up a Zoom session that can connect you to students all over. Here you can have flexible hours and you can set your own times at your own rates.
The advantage? Flexible hours and the ability to specialize in your subject. You can tutor after school or on weekends, and set your own rates.
4. Blogging or Content Writing
Writing a blog can be a fantastic way to share some of your educational knowledge. You can blog about teaching, discipline, study methods or even give parenting advice. Later on you can monetize the blog by adding advertisements and even sell your own resources.
5. Create Online Courses
You have taught many lessons before. Why not record them and package your lessons into a course?
You could teach some math tricks, essay writing, or public speaking. Various platforms makes it easy today. Remember to start small. Rome was not built in one day, so create 1 to 2 hours of video lessons and see how it goes first.
6. Start a YouTube Channel
If you’re comfortable speaking rather than writing, YouTube or podcasting could be just the thing for you. Teachers are natural presenters, and there’s a huge demand for educational content.
- Storytelling for kids
- Explaining tricky math or grammar concepts
- Sharing classroom stories and teacher humor
YouTube can be monetized with ads, sponsorships, or memberships once you grow an audience.
Earning money online doesn't mean you have to quit teaching. It is a way of using your skills effectively so that you can create an income. Don't overwhelm yourself, just pick one of the ideas above and try it. You have absolutely nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
Remember, your skills as a teacher are more valuable than you realize. The world is waiting for your lessons, your creativity, and your voice.
