Full-time education is more than 40 hours a week, as experienced educators know. That just doesn’t work for everyone. If you love teaching but don’t want a full-time job, there are plenty of options! Here are some common part-time teaching jobs and tips on how you can get one for yourself.
Job-Share Teaching Jobs
Best for them: those who work well collaboratively and are willing to give up some control over the curriculum and classroom management style.
In most job-sharing situations, two teachers share responsibility for a single classroom. Often, they divide the schedule by day of the week; One teacher can work on Mondays and Fridays, the other on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Or one teacher may take the morning while another arranges the afternoon. Either way, it’s a great way to split a full-time job into two or more part-time teaching jobs.
Real teacher experience
“I have been sharing work for 10 years. I have been studying for half a day. I have compared job sharing with marriage. We initially kept a notebook for communication, but we found that it was more efficient to leave messages on a tape recorder. [In my experience] You are fresh and full of energy because you are working less than full time and you have more time to create lessons Creative. If you split the topics … with fewer classes to plan, you’ll have more time to delve deeper into the content. “(Mary F. in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE Facebook group.)
Find a job-sharing location
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, teacher job sharing is very common. This is less common in the United States, but there are options. If you want to offer a job sharing setup at your current school, this might be helpful if you already have a teaching partner in mind. Otherwise, larger school districts may be your best bet to find such a location.
Learn more: Job Sharing for Teachers (ThoughtCo)
Alternative education
For the best: those who want the freedom to choose their teaching days and are willing and able to adapt to new classrooms on a regular basis.
In these days of Kovid, the demand for alternative teachers is higher than ever. In many districts, you can work as many days a week as you like. But Sabing also has its drawbacks. Although you will sometimes be able to schedule days in advance, chances are you will receive a phone call or text in the morning. You need to be prepared to go to a hat drop. Most of the time, teachers will leave you with good sub-plans to follow, but you may or may not do a lot of “real learning”. Especially in older grades, you can just click a video play or watch the kids work independently.
Real teacher experience
“I have been subbing for more than 10 years. It started as a way to get out of the house at once and earn a little money when my own kids were young. I have an educational degree but my full-time teaching license has expired. Now that my own kids are older and in school on their own, this is a pretty flexible source of income for our family. I can work almost full-time but still have the flexibility to work as my family needs. I enjoy working with children, and I enjoy getting to know many teachers and school staff. “
Looking for alternative education jobs
Contact your local district or school to find out what their current requirements are for members. You may only need a high school diploma, but some districts require a college degree or other specialization. Typically, you will register with a district and provide your availability. Some districts now use the online scheduling system, so you can see the days already available But more often than not, you’ll be waiting for a call or text day or the night before.
Learn more: 5 secrets I learned as an alternative teacher
Tutoring jobs
Best for those: who like one experience after another.
Some of the most popular part-time teaching jobs are tutoring gigs. You can work in person or online, and once you gain some experience, you can make a beautiful living out of it. You can also choose your own students, hours and subjects.
Real teacher experience
“I am a teacher with Tutor.com and love it! You set your time before the week with a maximum of six hours, but if there are spots available, which are always there, you can pick up extra hours on the weekends. It’s completely online, chatting in a virtual classroom. I’m an English teacher, so I teach English, reading, essay writing and college essay writing, lots of proofreading! I literally do it in my pajama house. That tutoring pays me every month and I love the program! ” (Jamie Q. in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE Facebook group)
Looking for a tutoring job
If you are looking for a home tutor locally, contact the local school to see if they have a specific job or need. You can also try companies like Sylvan or Huntington Education Center. Or try using a site like Care.com or posting on the Library Community Board. As soon as you create a client, you will probably find more and more jobs on your way to word of mouth. Not sure what to charge? The rate of tutoring varies from region to region and is a popular topic for discussion at WeAreTeachers HELPLINE. Drop in and ask for advice.
If you want to teach online, there are many different options. You can work for companies with set curricula, which often teach English to non-speakers or offer exam preparation sessions. You can sign up to answer homework questions, or sign up to teach online at sites like Outschool.
Learn more: How to find the best online tutoring jobs for teachers
Teacher assistant job
Best for them: those who are willing to do whatever is needed from coaching one after another to grading, copying and other administrative work.
If you want to feel part of the classroom experience but don’t want a full-time teaching position, being a teacher’s assistant (sometimes called a “para-teacher”) may be in your lap. Teacher assistants work extensively depending on their skill set and the position they take. You can spend part of the day coaching or tutoring together or in small groups. Or you can find yourself with a bulletin board to stack and assemble exams from grade. Anything is on the table, and the teacher must be able to go with the flow of colleagues.
Real teacher experience
“I like to interact and build relationships with students. Each day is varied and I can get students to experience the inclusion of general learning classrooms, small groups, specials, holidays, lunches in different settings. I can use my learning background and experience without the hassle of teaching in the classroom — planning, parent communication, paperwork. ” (Beth P., Primary Teacher Assistant)
Looking for a helpful job as a teacher
Scan your local school and district lists for these opportunities, which can be a full- or part-time teaching job. Teacher assistant jobs are often ideal for job sharing, so don’t be afraid to ask if they might be interested in trying. Different states and districts have their own requirements, so do some research to find out what kind of college degree or certificate you will need for this gig.
Learn more: How to be a Teacher’s Assistant (Indeed.com)
Part-time teaching job outside of school
Not all teachers work for the school. Many organizations and companies hire academics and may offer part-time work. Here are some options to consider.
Museum educator
Most museums have educational activities and teachers are hired to fill these jobs. Those who love art, science and history will surely find alternatives, especially in big cities or during summer camps. These jobs are often not well paid, but they can be a lot of fun.
Outschool teacher
Outschool is a great platform that allows teachers to create and set up classes on any subject that interests them. You teach online, setting your own hours and rates. Learn more about outschool here.
Homeschool educator
Not all homeschooling children are taught entirely by their own parents. In fact, many homeschools form co-op groups and hire personal tutors to cover essentials. Mathematics and science are especially popular subjects. To find opportunities, try searching on job sites like Indeed or Care.com.
Adult education
Adult education offers many opportunities, and many of them are part-time. You can help people earn their GED, or teach English as a second language. You can take classes at a local community center that are close to your heart and your favorite subject. To find these gigs, scan the work sites to post in “Adult Education” (And don’t ignore the prison educator. These tasks can be very rewarding!)
Corporate Instructor
If you prefer to work with older students or adults, consider a job in corporate training and development. Many of these are full-time, but part-time options may also be available.