Put Your Knowledge to Use: How to Supplement Your Teaching Salary

The average salary for teachers in the United States, according to 2012 data, is $55,418. It’s important to keep in mind that this figure is, in fact, the average. Many teachers make far less and few make more. New graduates often find it difficult to support themselves and pay back student loans on a beginning teacher’s salary. Luckily, there are ways that teachers can utilize their knowledge to supplement their income.

1.Teach Online

Teaching online is not as time-consuming as teaching in a classroom. Many teachers find that they can dedicate weekends to creating, uploading and grading assignments in an online environment. It’s not unusual for districts to pay between $100 and $200 per enrolled student. If you sign up to teach for a semester at the local college, you could easily make between $2,000 and $4,000.

2.Sell Materials

As a teacher, there’s little doubt that you’ve come up with fantastic lesson plans and worksheets. There are online avenues you can use to sell your materials. Other teachers will pay for your lesson plans so that they don’t have to spend time creating their own. If you’ve come up with a lesson plan that was particularly effective, sell it to other teachers.

3.Tutor

Tutoring is perhaps one of the most lucrative side jobs that you can have. Tutoring students allows you to set your own rate, making your earnings virtually limitless. Parents hire tutors for children of all ages and in every subject. You can find children to tutor in your community or offer your services online. Tutors can average $20 an hour or more. If you tutor for just a few hours each weekend, you can pull in $500 extra each month.

4.Proctor

As the popularity of online colleges grows, more proctors are needed. A proctor is someone who sits and observes students taking exams or completing required projects. The proctor is in place to ensure that the students are not cheating. Contact colleges in your area and find out if they need proctors. You may be able to get yourself on a list to be contacted by individuals who are looking for someone to sit with them while they complete their work.

5.Nanny

Did you know that there are people who look for others to sit with their children during the summer months when school is out? It can be difficult for parents to find someone they trust with their children. Your teaching experience will make you desirable. As part of your application, offer to take children on educational outings, tutor them during lunch or even teach grade-appropriate lessons. Parents will appreciate someone who can ready their children for the coming year.

It can be difficult to make ends meet as a teacher. While many educators take side-jobs as servers, sales clerks and bartenders, it makes more sense to put your skills to use. Use the list above as a starting point to putting extra money in your pocket during the school year.

– Brett Harris blogs for several schools that offer online education degrees that can fit into anyone’s busy schedule.