From Classroom Teacher to Flexible Careers in Education
Want to find a more sustainable, rewarding way to work within education? You don’t have to limit yourself to the classroom! There are so many flexible careers in education today that are accessible to classroom teachers.
Whether you’re interested in expanding your income while teaching or you’re looking to leave the classroom entirely, you may be wondering where to start.
In the words of Lao Tzu, "Every great journey begins with a single step."
Join our Educator Forever team this week as we reflect on our own career journeys. We’re sharing how we started working flexibly in education and found success beyond the classroom. (We’ve all been classroom teachers at one point!)
As you read through our experiences, you'll hear our tips and advice and discover a variety of exciting ways to stay in education without staying in the classroom!
How We Started Flexible Careers in Education
1. Lily Jones, Owner of Educator Forever
Lily’s story: I ventured beyond the classroom 15 years ago, and I started out doing education consulting and curriculum design while still working as a teacher. I transitioned out of the classroom in 2012 when my daughter was born, and I got my first large education consulting contract job that allowed me to leave the classroom. It was with Teaching Channel, and they were producing educational videos and needed a teacher to provide valuable feedback from an educator’s perspective.
I had never done anything like this before. I was suddenly watching videos of teachers pre-K to 12 all over the country (amazing teachers, including National Teachers of the Year). Having taught only kindergarten and first grade, I felt intimidated by this challenge but embraced it and focused on how the content could benefit educators and students.
This experience allowed me to develop my consulting and communication skills, leading to further opportunities such as consulting for Edutopia and providing guidance on various educational apps and websites.
Through all of this, I found that there are so many flexible careers in education for classroom teachers. So I really started Educator Forever to empower teachers to create what they want to see in education and to be the education experts they are and use their skills in so many ways. Since Educator Forever was born, my team and I have helped thousands of teachers explore life beyond the classroom.
Lily’s advice for those who aspire to work flexibly in education:
Taking action is crucial. As teachers, we often hesitate to move forward with tasks like sending out our resumes, writing cover letters, or submitting applications because we wait for perfection. But honestly, it’s never going to be perfect.
So you’re faced with a choice, to either take imperfect action or not do it at all. I believe that embracing imperfection and taking action is the most effective way to move forward. It's through these small steps that you’ll figure out your path.
Want to hear more? Check out the Educator Forever Podcast Episode 38: How to Start a Side Hustle for Teachers
2. April Brown, Learning & Development Manager
April’s story: While I was a teacher in Placencia, Belize, I received an email from an EdTech company looking for teacher-authors to contribute to lessons and educational resources. This opened my eyes to the need for teachers to lend their expertise beyond the classroom.
After my first daughter was born, I started to look into flexible careers in education and found Educator Forever’s Beyond the Classroom course, which led me to venture into different areas of expertise.
Since 2015, I’ve been involved in various areas such as curriculum development, coaching, education writing, parenting writing, educator wellness and mental health, and higher education. Some of my favorite projects include designing social studies learning plans for pre-K to 2nd grade students. I have also enjoyed writing education articles for PBS, particularly those aimed at parents, where I break down different topics and provide activity ideas.
Coaching has been a passion of mine, and I have been involved in virtual instructional coaching for over three years. I dove into supporting educators during the pandemic. This has been both impactful and aligned with my life's goals. Overall, my journey to find success beyond the classroom has encompassed a variety of experiences all aimed at making a positive impact on students, teachers, and parents alike.
April’s advice for those who aspire to work flexibly in education:
The initial months of any endeavor can be challenging, but it's essential to push through and maintain positive self-talk. Ground yourself in the belief that what you have to share with the world truly matters and that your ideas are valuable and can make a significant difference. Embrace the opportunities that come your way and take action. It's important to lean into opportunities and do the things that align with your passions and goals.
Want to hear more? Check out the Educator Forever Podcast Episode 21: How to Get Started as a Teacher Coach with April Brown
3. Allison Williams, Business Mentor (and Owner of Tutor Tots Online)
Allison’s story: After nine years of traditional classroom teaching, I left the classroom and have been teaching virtually for the past three years. I'm the founder and lead instructor of Tutor Tots Online where we provide a virtual homeschool program that provides quality education in a convenient and flexible format. Since starting the business in 2020, I've had the privilege of working with over 100 virtual students.
Allison’s advice for those who aspire to work flexibly in education:
There are three key points that I wish someone had shared with me when I first started to explore flexible careers in education:
Identify your interests and passions, your zone of genius… what it is that you want to bring into this world. Focus on pursuing opportunities that resonate with your true passion.
Expand your skillset continuously. The education world is constantly evolving, and there is a growing demand for diverse and in-demand skills. Take the initiative to attend workshops, invest in online courses, and actively engage in professional development activities. Acquiring new skills enhances your marketability.
Stay open and embrace new opportunities that come your way. There have been instances where I initially dismissed an opportunity, only to discover that I thoroughly enjoyed it once I gave it a chance. The education industry is continuously evolving, so remain open to the exciting opportunities that unfold.
Want to hear more? Check out the Educator Forever Podcast Episode 3: Building an Online Teaching Business with Allison Williams of Tutor Tots Online
4. Evonne Hall, Program Coordinator
Evonne’s story: After working in the public school system as a special educator for over 12 years, I was ready to go beyond the classroom. I made the transition to homeschooling and homeschooled four children from start to finish. I also worked as a homeschool support individual and ran several co-ops, allowing me to become well-versed in the homeschooling world.
From there, I transitioned to online teaching, where I enjoyed building relationships with students and families from China, Turkey, Crete, South America, and beyond. I also wrote curriculum for ESL companies. It was during this time that I crossed paths with Educator Forever and completed the Curriculum Development Foundations program.
The program provided me with invaluable knowledge and helped me uplevel my skills, ultimately opening doors for me to work on curriculum development projects with TPT sellers and other educational companies, as well as the Educator Forever Agency.
Evonne’s advice for those who aspire to work flexibly in education:
The biggest lesson I've learned since leaving the classroom is that messy action is better than no action. No matter how messy it is, you’re going to learn something from the process. I think a lot of times as educators we actually can talk ourselves out of opportunities.
For instance, when I first started exploring remote work after leaving the classroom, I would come across intriguing opportunities in my Facebook feed or elsewhere. Yet, I would quickly dismiss them, convincing myself that I lacked the necessary skills or qualifications.
This went on for two years until I finally realized that I would never feel completely ready. I finally decided to take the leap and try it anyway. Through experience, I discovered things that I genuinely enjoyed doing and those that did not resonate with me. (Both provided valuable insight!)
Looking back, I couldn't help but acknowledge the missed opportunities and potential income during those 24 months of hesitation. If you shift your thinking and consider it from that perspective, suddenly messy action doesn't seem so bad, right? Be willing to step out and find your path with little bits of messy action.
Want to hear more? Check out the Educator Forever Podcast Episode 27: From Online Teacher to Program Coordinator with Evonne Hall
5. Jasmine Gibson, Editorial Project Manager
Jasmine’s story: I started my career running outdoor experiential education programs, supporting girls leadership programs, and working with homeschoolers and unschoolers. I loved working with youth and the creativity of teaching, so I decided to go back to school to become a kindergarten and first-grade teacher. While still in the classroom, I took on freelance curriculum development work for a few EdTech companies, summer camps, and afterschool programs.
When my first child was born, I knew I needed to explore more flexible careers in education, so I decided to dive more into curriculum development. I enjoyed the work so much that I chose not to return to the classroom.
Jasmine’s advice for those who aspire to work flexibly in education:
Say “yes” and try out different things in the beginning so you can find out what you like doing and what you’re good at doing. Having a growth mindset and being open to constructive feedback is important.
Leverage your network – Create a LinkedIn account and connect with everybody you know in the education world. Talk to people and tell them that you're open to work and you're curious about different kinds of projects. Above all, don't be afraid to try and be open to new things.
Want to hear more? Check out the Educator Forever Podcast Episode 32: Building a Career in Curriculum Development with Jasmine Gibson
6. Blair Petersen, Marketing Manager
Blair’s story: While teaching elementary for nine years, I took on various side hustles in writing and marketing for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals (anything from marketing for an interior design shop to editing a cookbook for a health/wellness coach in Ireland).
When I found Educator Forever’s Beyond the Classroom course, I realized I could combine my passions and stay where my heart was in education. Through Educator Forever, I was connected to education companies and took on several contract positions and projects, including education consulting, content creation, and curriculum development opportunities.
Blair’s advice for those who aspire to work flexibly in education:
Try different things out until you find what lights you up. Use this to help guide you in making decisions and your next choices. Have patience with yourself along the way, and do your best to overcome fear and limiting beliefs as you take action to create the life you want.
As you apply for jobs, take the time to tailor your resume for each job, using relevant language from the job description and showcasing your relevant experiences. Consider the connections you can make from your teaching experiences and reflect on specific relevant things you’ve done (such as coaching, mentoring student teachers, leading professional development sessions, etc.).
Want to hear more? Check out the Educator Forever Podcast Episode 25: Working as a Writer & Marketer with Blair Petersen
Ready to Work Flexibly in Education?
If you want to find flexible careers in education (full or part-time), Educator Forever is here to support and guide you!
Check out the Educator Forever Network, where we’ve helped thousands of teachers to identify their own skills and learn how to apply them to flexible new careers.
Through the Educator Forever Network, you’ll get instant access to our signature Beyond the Classroom course, where you’ll learn all about your possibilities for education work beyond the classroom, discover exactly where to find flexible jobs in education, and you’ll get the support you need to help you land those jobs.
You’ll also join an inspiring community of like-minded educators and enjoy weekly live group calls (and more!).
Sign up for the Educator Forever Network so you can thrive and create the career (and life) you deserve.
Have questions? Contact Educator Forever any time!