So you’re looking for a summer job while you’re away from your young charges? With your skills as an elementary teacher, you can find a great job that allows you to make a good paycheck – and one that takes advantage of your copious amounts of patience, too!

Work in a Senior Home. Many people in senior care facilities need someone to lead them through basic skills they might have lost through stroke or other serious medical conditions. You can help them by leading them through art classes, reading to them on a regular basis, or offering other kinds of activities to keep them engaged and active. Your patience with the elderly will go a long way toward helping them regain some independence.

Work with Disabled Kids. There are kids out there who need much more help than the classroom can give them. Spend your summers teaching classes specialized for these students. You might lead them in English lessons, basic math, or even more basic things, such as how to wield a pair of scissors. Your attention is priceless, and those students – and their parents – will never forget it.

Teach Adult Literacy. Sadly, many adults can somehow make it through high school without ever learning to read. When they take the step to admit the problem and decide to learn to read later in life, it is a beautiful thing – and that achievement means so much more to them than it might to someone who has been able to read with ease all of their life. Your patience needs to be considerable…these adults are depending upon you to help them, keep them motivated, and accept them for who they are, without ever faulting them. Celebrate their accomplishments!

Help Out at Day Care. During the summer, parents need places to send their children so they can continue working their regular schedules. Day care is usually their best or only option. By working in a day care, you can teach children things they need to know before they move back into the next school year – and as a teacher, you definitely know that giving a child a little boost during the summer can improve their school grades by leaps and bounds.

Every one of these jobs is about helping people while making a good paycheck at the same time. What could be better?

On your weekend breaks from school, the last thing you want to do is work. But sometimes finances demand that you use that time to bring in a paycheck. Here are a few weekend gigs that might seem more like fun than work – but will still give you a boost in the money department.

Recreation Worker at your local amusement park. Amusement parks are open year-round, and many parents choose to take their children during weekends. You can take advantage of that by taking a weekend job at your local amusement park. Whether you are manning the rides or dressing up as a character to tease the children, you will be having fun!

Theater Worker. The weekend is the time to gather up the family and see a great movie. Theaters are packed over the weekend, which is why they need more employees for those times. You can work on the weekends, serving as an usher or serving popcorn. The job is easy, you’re always meeting friendly people, and you get the first glimpse of new movies…for free!

On-Call Vet Tech. If you have experience with animals, you might look into becoming a veterinary technician. Many animal hospitals always need someone to take emergency calls on weekends, and you could do just that. It’s a steady paycheck, a door to a new career (should you ever choose that teaching isn’t for you), and most of all, it’s a way to help someone’s beloved pet in their worst moments.

Adult Education. Sadly, there are thousands of adults who never had the opportunity to learn how to read. Adult education tries to bridge that gap by pairing adult students with teachers who have a lot of patience, kindness, and understanding. Spend your weekends teaching adults how to read…and watch the joy in their eyes when they realize they just got it right! The financial rewards pale in comparison.

Hairdresser. Do you love to do creative work with your hands? Are you good with a pair of scissors? Do you have an eye for style? Work as a hairdresser! Weekends are busy times for those who cut hair, and someone who knows what they are doing is sure to find a good job. Most community colleges and beauty schools have classes that will fit your schedule, and you will be snipping away at those locks in no time.

Haven’t found that perfect summer job yet? Here are a few more job ideas that might be ideal for your summertime paycheck.

Seasonal Work at State Parks. When the sun beats down, residents come out to play at the various state parks throughout the country. State parks hire temporary workers for summertime jobs, with the understanding that when school is back in full swing, those workers will be on hiatus until the next summer rolls around. Seasonal work at state parks comes with the added bonus of a state paycheck, so you know how much you will be paid, and you will always be paid on time.

Swimming Instructor. When swimming pools open, children are ready to learn – and you can teach them! Spend your summers in the water as you teach children and adults alike to swim. You can teach beginning or advanced courses, depending upon your own expertise. If you have experience as a lifeguard, that’s a big plus for landing the best job. You can even go private and teach lessons in your own backyard, if you have a pool that is big enough to accomodate a class.

Camp Counselor. Let your love of teaching spill over into your summertime work by becoming a camp counselor. You will teach a different kind of classroom during the summer, and instead of teaching the ABCs and 123s, you will be showing students how to use outdoorsman skills to make the most of their summer. Take a walk on the wild side, get some great time outside, and go back to school in the fall with a refreshed and renewed outlook.

Summertime Food Programs. It’s a sad fact of today’s society – sometimes, children only get one full meal every day, and that’s the one they eat at school. Summertime food programs seek to bridge that gap by offering lunches and dinners to children in impoverished areas. Join up with one of the programs and help those who need it the most. Sometimes the pay is a stipend, which is much less than what you would earn hourly, but the comfort of a job well done might be worth the difference.

Pool Party Supplies and Sales. What is summer without a pool? When it’s time to get ready for the summertime, pool stores do a booming business. If you are involved in supplies and sales, you can bet your summer will be busy. You can also join up in the party business and be responsible for taking inflatables, temporary pools, and other party supplies to various locations. It’s fun in the sun, but a new place every week! How cool is that during the hot days of summertime?

When you’re working in a classroom every day, the last thing you need is a part-time job that adds more stress to your life. Your part-time job should be something that allows you to make money but gives you the chance to “decompress” from the pressures of the classroom. These part-time jobs might do the trick:

Cashier. Yes, cashiers are responsible for dealing with quite a bit of money. But in some big-box stores, everything a cashier does is automated, and most of the items can be scanned in. The job allows you to interact with the public, and if you love to meet new people, it can’t be beat. Working as a cashier takes your mind out of the classroom and allows you to focus on something else during your evening hours, while making a good paycheck.

Janitorial Services. Many people love to clean. They like to strap on an iPod or radio headphones while they mop floors, dust offices, and dump trash cans. Working as a janitor for a big office building allows you privacy to work, time to reflect on things that might be bothering you, and a chance to relieve stress while you wield that mop on the floors. For those who find cleaning soothing, it’s the perfect part-time job.

Animal Care / Kennel Care. Nothing says “de-stress” like the cuddle of a furry, trusting animal. Working at an emergency vet clinic or an all-night animal care hospital will allow you the opportunity to take care of those who need it the most. Running a kennel operation allows you to meet new animals who need your care, and gives you a good paycheck from owners who will be relieved to know their pets are in such good hands.

Security Guard. Some security jobs are high stress and require intense dedication…but there are some security jobs that are little more than pushing a button to let a vehicle into a gate, or checking IDs of people who come in and out of a building. Working as a security guard can give you the time you need to decompress and think about something else for a while – and that’s a good thing when you’re in a stressful position during the day.

Dog Walker. Working as a dog walker is actually good for you, and brings in good money at the same time. Walking dogs while their owners are out is an opportunity to great exercise, as well as a way to get to know your neighborhood better.

Whatever you choose for a part-time job, make sure you opt for something that takes away from the stress in your life. After all, who needs more stress along with their paycheck?

Are you looking for a summer job that will let you forget about the trials of the school year? Are you seeking a summer job for teachers that will allow you a break from the organization of the school position? Here are a few options for summer jobs you can enjoy for a few months and then leave with a smile when the school year rolls back around.

Summer Camp Counselor. Take your experience with teaching children and turn it into a fun, outdoor job! Working as a counselor in summer camp means you will do everything from lead campfire songs to doctor scraped knees. You will often be called upon to listen to kids who have problems or simply feel a little homesick. You will be responsible for giving them a great experience, and you will have fun while doing it!

Amusement Park Worker. Want to make people happy every single day? Work at an amusement park! Kids come to a theme park to ride the rides, eat too much junk food, and wear themselves out by the end of the day. You can be a part of that by working one of the rides, setting up a vendor’s cart, or working as a guide for the park. Most amusement parks hire temporary summer workers, so they will be quite understanding of your school schedule.

Lifeguard. Love the sun and surf? Working as a lifeguard puts you in charge of the pool, the lake, or the ocean, if you are so inclined. You will be the one who watches over children and adults as they frolic in nature’s playground. Not only will you get a fantastic tan, you will meet new people and have a great swim anytime you want.

Festival Worker. Summer festivals breeze from town to town, delight a community for a few nights, and then move on to the next place. You can join the festival tour and see some of the country, or choose to work at the festivals in your own town. You can set up your own games, offer food for the visitors, or work in many other capacities that will take you away from the hum-drum life and into the circus world!

Do Lawn Care. Go back to being a kid again! If you love to work on your lawn and do the occasional landscaping job, why not make that happen during your summers? Invest in a nice lawn mower, find a good weed-eater, and start collecting clients. You can make a good living during the summertime, and get great exercise while you’re at it!

Do you have a good job right now, one that doesn’t involve teaching? Have you always wondered what it would be like to become a high school teacher? If you have a college degree, you just might be in luck!

Many people will obtain their bachelor’s or master’s degree in a certain field, work in that occupation for a number of years, and then begin to crave a change. Many of those people will turn to teaching. If you already have your full degree and you’ve been using it for years, turning to the teaching profession might require only a few refresher courses in order to get your teaching certificate. Depending upon how much education you had to begin with, you could become a teacher in as little as a year.

But what would you teach? That’s where your current occupation comes into play. If you’re an engineer who works with biochemicals, you might make a great chemistry or biology teacher. If you are a secretary in the world of big business, teaching business techniques to advanced high school classes might be your perfect gig. Are you a history buff? A math enthusiast? Many an accountant or museum curator has taken on classes at their local university, and some might even make the leap to teaching high school.

Even more conveniently, many classes are now available online through reputable universities, so you can work toward your teaching certificate while you continue in your current full-time position. When you finish the core classes, you can move into teaching with supervision, and possibly be on your own sooner than you think.

Have you ever thought about teaching on the high school level? Now is the time to get your teaching certificate and make the change!

If you’re a teacher, you know all there is to know about organization and scheduling. Your classroom is based on paperwork, turning in assignments, adhering to a school schedule, and making certain everyone has their homework before they walk out the door. With such a structured life, wouldn’t it be nice to do something a little crazy for a change?

The most unique teacher summer jobs include some of the wildest, most enjoyable things you can think of – and some that maybe you never considered before!

Skydiving Instructor. Do you love to throw yourself out of airplanes and feel that adrenaline pump? Do you like to see the world from a view most people never get to see? If these things appeal to you, perhaps you would make a good skydiving instructor. Working up to get your certification is loads of fun, and by the time you’re done, you will be in a position to get paid for jumping out of planes. How cool is that?

Beach Lifeguard. Want to do something good for others, earn a nice paycheck, and lay in the sun all day? Lifeguards have a very important responsibility, but they also have optimum work conditions. You will get your fill of swimming and sunbathing, while basking in the good feeling of keeping others safe.

Archeological Assistant. If you really enjoy learning about history and the people who came before your time, consider becoming an assistant on an archeological dig. The extra hands can always come in handy, and you can learn on the job. The pay might be little more than a stipend, but it’s a good job to put on a resume and best of all, you get the thrill of doing something unusual while you’re away from the classroom.

Traveling Sales. Want to see the country? Work in traveling sales. Whether you are selling vacuum cleaners or farm equipment, you can find an audience from coast to coast. You will be able to drive or fly to your destinations, and you can opt to work with personal one-on-one sales or corporate clients. The world is your oyster…now go sell it!

Join the Circus. Sound like a cliche, doesn’t it? It’s not. Circus troupes are always looking for fresh blood to make their shows interesting. If you have a special talent or a skill that is always needed, such as a knowledge of veterinary practices to help care for the animals, you can run off the join the circus – and have great stories to tell your students when you return to the “real” world.

Do you love to talk? Do you like to get to know people? Are you godo with kids, with the elderly, or simply with your peers? Are you someone people trust and love to talk with? Then the following summer or weekend jobs might be just your cup of tea.

Telemarketing. Working as a telemarketer can be a tough job, but you can usually set your own hours and make the money you want to make, depending on how often you choose to work. For every person that hangs up on you, there will be someone ready and willing to listen – and you will have ample opportunity to strut your sales skills.

Customer Service. Want to help people with products or services they have already purchased, or help them make a selection that is perfect for their needs? Working as a customer service representative gives you the chance to help people solve their problems with a simple phone call. You will be on the receiving end of a few very grateful customers!

Public Relations. Is there a cause you believe in and want to work for? Working as a public relations liaison might be the perfect job for you. You can sign up for a summer or a weekend job, or even fit in your work during the evenings. Your primary goal will be to show others how great this place, organization, or opportunity can be.

Online Tutoring. Want to help students who need some extra time? Work as an online tutor. You will have the advantage of one-on-one work, something that is rare in a large classroom setting, and you will also have the good feeling of helping someone rise to their full potential. You will also get paid for it – a bonus anyone can appreciate!

Counseling. Do you find that you always have the right thing to say? Do you want to give back to your community and those who need a helping hand? Consider working for a counseling service. You can choose to work for the online or phone service and work with the organization to set hours that are convenient for you. Your listening ear might be all someone needs to get their life back on track – and wouldn’t it feel great to be the one who gave it to them?

As a new teacher, you might be one of the lucky ones who feels entirely at home in this new environment. But most first-time teachers are going to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and flat-out scared. For those who need some reassurance, here is great advice to overcome those “new teacher” fears.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help. This includes asking for help from parents and other teachers. You are new, and they know there is a learning curve! If you are confused about something or don’t know how to handle a certain issue, your peers will help you out. If you are having trouble understanding the needs of a certain child, talk to the parents. They will be happy to give you plenty of insight that will make the classroom journey easier.

Keep students busy. The fastest way to lose control of a classroom is to let your kids get bored. They will then do things to relieve that boredom – and unfortunately, that sometimes means they will act out. Always have a new assignment, a different path, or a bit of extra work tucked away for those moments when your class plan doesn’t seem to stretch all the way.

Have a plan for discipline. Expect order – and enforce it. Tell your children what you expect on the very first day, and don’t bend the rules. If the rules are broken, have very clear consequences set out for each infraction. Send a copy of the rules home to parents, ask them to read it with their kids, and get the signatures of both your students and their parents, saying they clearly agree.

Stay organized! Your homework policy should be clear, and your method for grading papers should be workable. Show your students exactly what you expect of them from the very beginning. For instance, if they are supposed to turn in papers by placing them in the basket on your desk, that’s what they should do every single time. Don’t confuse them – or yourself! – with conflicting information.

Take a deep breath. Teaching is a very rewarding occupation, but it is definitely not an easy one. Despite your best planning, there will be times when you feel overwhelmed. This is true of all teachers, not just new ones! Give yourself a bit of a break. When you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and do what it takes to refocus. During your down-time, make sure relaxation is the name of the game. The more relaxed you are, the clearer your head will be – and the more confidence you will have.

Both you and your charges work hard in the classroom. You spend every day working with those young minds, and you watch them grow throughout the year. By the time they are finished with school, they are ready for a break – and so are you.

Holding school fundraisers can be a great way to get needed funds. Be sure to check with your administration for the rules of fundraisers and adhere to them all – you want to do it right!

Kiss the Donkey. Or the Snake. Or the Pig. The point of the fundraiser is to give children an incentive to bring in as much money as possible for your goal, and when they reach a certain milestone, they get an award. Kids (especially younger ones) love to see those in positions of authority do something a bit icky or gross. That’s why pie-in-the-face awards are popular…but kissing the donkey is probably the biggest reward of all.

Fun Day Outside. Your imagination is the only limit to this fun day. The fundraiser could be set up in the form of tickets, where each ticket costs a certain amount. There can also be sales of homemade items, class t-shirts, or anything else that might be of interest to the community. Be sure to make it very clear on all your posters and flyers what the event is raising money for, and make it fun!

Class Performance. Your class might choose to put on a performance and request a small donation for the music department from the guests. You might be surprised at how many people will pull out their checkbooks when they see those happy, earnest faces on the stage! The arts are one of the places where alloted money seems to fall to the wayside, and parents might be the key to bringing those funds back up.

Sports Event or Public Performance. There are many performers, sports teams, and celebrities more than willing to step up to the plate and raise money for your school. Most people assume those “in the spotlight” are too busy for that – but the truth is, they are just waiting to be approached. Will your state NFL team come to your school and sign autographs? Will your favorite singer come and host an event to raise money for the new gymnasium? It never hurts to ask!

Whatever fundraiser you choose, make sure it’s one the kids will enjoy, and get the community involved, too. You can even create a fundraiser where half of the money goes to the school and the other half to charity, and make sure the kids are present when they see that big check awarded to the charity. It’s a good way to show them they have done an excellent job!