With all this talk about summer jobs for teachers, we haven’t yet focused on something that teachers can do to further their education. If you’re looking for a way to make extra money, having a second degree might open up horizons for where you can work and what you can do.
Getting a second degree can be done over a period of years if you take evening classes, weekend classes, or devote a summer to building credit hours. Though it is technically not a “job” it is preparing you for one – and if you chose that you enjoyed your second career even more than your teaching one, that degree would give you the chance to move into another field without having to take the time off for education first.
Start by looking into the classes offered by your local university. There are often discounts for non-traditional students and additional discounts for teachers furthering their education. Your school system might pay for some of the cost, and you are probably eligible for financial aid that will help pay your way through. In fact, you might be able to get everything paid for while you chase your dream!
Some teachers go back to school using a kind of “barter” system. That means you agree to teach a class, and in return, you get your class fee waived for whatever class you need to take. The more you teach, the more you learn, and it doesn’t cost you anything more than a few hours of your time each week.
If you don’t have the time to deal with going to a physical classroom during the evenings or weekends, many accredited universities and collegs now offer their classes online. You are still enrolled in a traditional college and you probably have to be physically present for tests and the like, but you can do the majority of your work via computer. It’s a great way to go back to school, especially if you are pressed for time.
Contact your school board or your teacher’s union and ask about scholarships and the like. They usually offer something for those who want to further their education, especially if your plans are to move to another position in the school system, such as applying to be an administrator.
The more education you have, the better your chances of a higher-paying job will be – and the less need you will have to look outside of your first love of teaching to find the part time and weekend jobs to make ends meet.