Last updated on November 17th, 2023 at 04:50 pm
I always liked the spring, despite the inevitable schoolwide busyness and the state testing and the heaps of pollen carousing around the atmosphere because it hinted at the best of times for a teacher: summer. And maybe this spring is even sweeter still for you, because you are finally planning your classroom exit. Once you’ve made the decision, you have some work ahead of you. But let me offer a soft landing idea to make the transition less rocky.
Consider tutoring as an exit ramp for leaving teaching
It can be scary quitting with no other job lined up (unless you already do have one! Go you!). I would suggest putting in place a little insurance policy.
For almost any teacher, I’d recommend getting started with private tutoring.
The funds you accrue through tutoring can give you a little cushion. A small but mighty cushion that can serve as a buffer between this job and the next. A crucial apparatus to keep you afloat instead of cannonballing into the next ill-fitting job opening you find.
Here’s why I recommend you start before your term is up, though: like any self-employed gig, it may take a while to gain traction. You don’t want to wait until summer is half over to learn the ins and outs and build a client base.
Getting your sea legs in private tutoring
While tutoring has a lot in common with classroom teaching, don’t assume the transition will be completely seamless with no preparation.
Practice how you will instruct a student one on one. Create a lesson plan or rough schedule for the session. Decide on which subjects you will teach, for how long, and where the session will be located. Decide which techniques and pedagogical practices you will follow.
You’ll also need to build up the business end of your tutoring gig. Decide what you will charge and how you will receive payments. (This can come later, but if you end up having a ton of tutoring clients/work, I would look up the tax implications and whether you’ll want to create an actual, federally recognized business out of it.) Come up with a plan for marketing, for getting the word out about your services. It doesn’t have to be complicated or even sophisticated (simple is key here, especially if you’re already super busy), but a tutoring business is only profitable if you have, well, business.
You are in luck, though, as a teacher. You probably already excell in skills like imparting knowledge, creating lessons, scaffolding, and well, teaching. Play to your strengths. Set aside tools from the classroom specifically for private tutoring (as long as they belong to you!). There is so much you can bring to the table as a tutor after teaching in the classroom. Your experience and knowledge will drive this job.
Tip:
chocolate for the teach
One way to research what to charge is by sifting through a local word of mouth Facebook page, if your area has one. People regularly post looking for tutors, and you can see what their budgets are and what other tutors are charging. The rate should be influenced by your skill and experience, your geographical area, and the level of need for the subjects you teach.
Decide on details of your tutoring business
Don’t get hung up on the details, but these factors do need to be decided on.
You’ll also need to choose your location and format. If you’re doing physical tutoring, I see a lot of tutors opting to instruct at the local library.
Online tutoring seems to be gaining a lot of traction.
If you would like to teach online, choose a video communication platform like Zoom and become adept at it.
You should land on a few practiced subjects to focus on as well. (I wouldn’t suggest an elementary teacher dive into tutoring AP Chemistry without a background in it, for example!) My suggestion is to pick 1-3 subject offering and focus on those. It will make your marketing more clear and attract the kind of clients that are interested in what you teach best.
I go into detail in another article on which tutoring subjects are in highest demand.
Start building a client base
If you start putting it out there that you’re tutoring in March, you may accumulate a decent number of students by May. Then when you nonrenew your teaching contract, you’ll still have money coming in from those tutoring clients.
Print business cards or put the word out on social media. You can also post in local Facebook parenting groups to make people aware.
Start the process months before quitting, not putting too much pressure on yourself, and just see what happens. Give yourself time to breathe some life into this little business, even if things are getting busy at your full-time job. Once you’ve left, you won’t regret the solid Plan B you’ve built up.
Why private tutoring is a great transition from classroom teaching
Tutoring doesn’t have to replace your teaching income, but it provides a padding while you transition into a new role. Tutoring while job searching or learning a new job can give you a stream of income while still allowing you to the time to focus on your other goals.
Plus, having a source of side income while searching for other jobs can be a necessary boost of confidence in that job search. I know I put less pressure on myself in interviews if I know I have a backup– and I end up with more confidence and a higher chance of securing that job!
I hope that helps– subscribe to the blog for more pointers like this and let me know in the comments if you’ve tried this!
