Careers Outside of the Classroom: Summer Jobs for Teachers

Summer means sunshine, warmth, and a break from the hustle and bustle of school life for students and teachers alike. Summer jobs are typically talked about as something for teenagers, but teachers sometimes need those summer side hustles too. It might sound odd to have a career outside the classroom, but more teachers are finding solace in having an extra income during the summer. 

Sure, reading on the beach or lying in a hammock all summer sounds heavenly, and you can still do some of those things, but there’s a reality in needing a summer job. For teachers, there are options, especially with degrees in English and General Education. 

In this article, we will talk about what kind of jobs for teachers await in the summertime. Whether it’s a full-time gig or a part-time position, there’s always money to be made for those in the educational fields. 

Write/Blog About Your Teaching Experiences

Teaching blogs are some of the most sought after on the internet, usually by like-minded people in the education community. Teachers read what other teachers have to say. They are interested in their personal experiences with troublesome students, their ideas for crafts and engaging activities, and their overall expertise in whatever educational field they teach. 

Side note: If you are going to summer blogging route as a teacher, pick a theme for your articles. Don’t bounce from one topic to another unless it’s within the realm of teaching because that’s where your expertise lies and that’s what people will want to read about. 

Become an Online Tutor for Children in Other Countries

Other countries, like China, are always on the lookout for teachers to assist their students learn a second language. It requires a bachelor’s degree in education, often with a focus on English and Literature, and you can work for 3 hours a day with a range of $15 to $22 per hour. 

Online tutoring is typically a one-on-one video conference. The children you teach can be anywhere from kindergarten through high school, so you can choose which grade you are most comfortable in teaching.

Living in a Tourist Town? Pick a Seasonal Attraction to Work for

Summertime means travel. For tourist towns everywhere, summer is the busiest time of the year. If you live in or close to a tourist city, you could get a job at a seasonal attraction. For instance, there are museums hiring tour guides on a seasonal basis throughout the United States. You could start there, putting your education to use in your down time. 

Summer Camps Could Always Use Counselors

Summer camp counselor sounds like something a teenager from an 80s movie would be into, but trust that it’s an excellent option for modern teachers. There are multiple counselors at a summer camp, each in charge of the supervision and care of a group of children. There’s a massive perk that you get to have fun and be outdoors for most of the summer. 

Some duties as a summer camp counselor include: 

• Supervising the interactions and behavior of campers. 

• Supporting and teaching campers in age-appropriate activities. 

• Helping to coordinate camp events with fellow counselors. 

• Helping to clean, inspect, and maintain cabins and other camp facilities. 

Daycares are a Minor Shift from School Life

Daycares are year-round job opportunities, and they are usually packed in the summertime because parents still have to go to work while their children are out of school. Daycares are less about education and more about keeping kids occupied, entertained, and cared for. 

Some duties as a daycare teacher include: 

• Basic care and caregiving responsibilities, like changing diapers, encouraging nap times, and arranging nutritious breakfasts and lunches. 

• Designing fun and entertaining crafts and activity projects for children of all ages. 

• Teaching children how to socialize with one another out of respect and care. 

• Coming up with an annual curriculum for older children in daycare. 

Remember to Take Time for Yourself Too! 

Being a teacher is one of the hardest jobs in the world. You are molding today’s youth and striving to ensure they become good, contributing people. Our hats are off to you for making such an amazing contribution with your job. 

While you might need a summer job to make ends meet, be sure you take some time for yourself this summer too. It’s hard teaching kids all day, and you deserve as much down time as your students do. If possible, these job suggestions could all be worked into part-time, so you can focus on doing things you love before school comes back around.