“You only work nine months out of the year.” “You get the entire summer off.” There’s a lot of misinformation floating around the universe in terms of what teachers do during their time off. So, I thought maybe I’d set the record straight, at least partially.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have any vacations planned. In fact, we’re dashing off to Vegas for a few short days right before summer school starts. Costa Rica is also on the horizon. In addition to travel, I’ll spend countless hours preparing for next school year. In the past, I’ve never clocked the hours, but this summer, I think I will. In addition to traveling and lesson planning, a big chunk of my summer will be spent hustling.
Tutoring
This summer, I’m working with two students at the library near my house. By car, it’s a three-minute commute. My plan, however, is to walk most days. I figure I’ll get in some steps, enjoy the sunshine, and save a few drops of gasoline. While I am already certain that this will be my least consistent and reliable side hustle, I can theoretically earn an extra $80 a week.
Summer School
I’m only working a half day of summer school each day. Partly because I need to spend time prepping lessons and technology for the fall and partly because I have all sorts of other plans. I’ll be able to catch up with friends, spend time with Mr. P, garden, hike, and more. Depending on how we are able to time sheet the work this summer, I could potentially earn about $100 a day. Granted I’ll lose a hunk of that to taxes–just like any side hustle–but I’ll also have money diverted into my pension.
Teacher Training
Some of the meetings that I facilitate and attend this summer will actually be paid. The vast majority of teacher trainings that happen over the summer are for personal betterment and to plan ahead for the school year (read: unpaid). But I’m fortunate to work in a district that also offers a few paid trainings. I won’t get rich from any of this, but an extra $20 here and an extra $50 here has the potential to add up.
Freelancing — Sort Of
Because I’m so excited about this opportunity, I’ll definitely devote an entire blog post to it soon. Still, I am officially hired on to be part of the Tip Yourself team. I’ve waxed poetic about the app before, and I’ve been a long-time user. The stars aligned in all the right ways, and about a month ago, I was asked to come on board and help with some social media and email work.
So Tell Me…Do you have any side hustles lined up? Are you traveling at all this summer?
Great job with all the side hustles! Sounds like you’ll have a busy summer. And congrats about the Tip Yourself app! I haven’t checked it myself but it sounds pretty cool. I’ll have to look into it. 🙂
You have a great hustling line up!
The hustling will be slow around here and will likely be limited to craigslist and ebay sales. Any extra time will be spent gardening (which could be a type of hustle, considering the money saved), camping, and vacationing. We will partially travel hack a FL trip and camp in Colorado – travel is on the cheap this year!
Argh…people who talk about hoe teachers only work 10 months also think they only work from 8 to 3. Most of the ones I know put in 10-12 hour days with minimal breaks, plus have the unpaid training during the summer. Glad to see you’ve planned some time for fun as well as hustle.
Wow, you sure stay busy during your “off” months! My dad was a teacher (band director) and always taught summer band camps which increased his income nicely. I will do some freelance writing but I keep the side hustling low key now since I’m focusing on being home with my little ones for now.
Hey, Penny. Have you ever considered starting your own school? I know if I had kids, I’d send them to a school you ran. It seems a waste that your passion, drive, and wisdom is shared with only 25 kids during the school year. Why not a 1,000? Or how about 5,000? I wish we could devise a system that encourages our best public school teachers to be more entrepreneurial.
Ha! A few of my coworkers and I joke about it all the item. Way too political, I’m afraid. And I actually teach between 70 and 90 each year! 🙂 You’re far too kind, Mr. G!
Anyone who questions the amount a teacher works is way off base, sure there are probably some slackers, but all the ones I know put in a ton of time outside of the classroom. Plus I never knock a profession I couldn’t do – you need a lot of patience (I am lacking)
Nice side hustle work! Sounds like you have split your time nicely!
Wow! Way to hustle! Can’t wait to hear more. ?
CONGRATS! Joining the Tip Yourself team is such exciting news! You are FOR REAL, girl! 🙂 I can’t wait to grow up to be like you!
Um. It’s so unbelievable exciting that I actually told my parents about it. I mean, as best as I could given the fact that my dad calls it “The eTunes” and my mom has one app on her phone 😉
That sounds like a great summer! Mine is similar, although no summer school for me because most of the programs have been cut due to budget shortfalls. I will be doing a little tutoring, as well as some work on instructional materials and curriculum for next year. I am thinking of trying to post some of it on Teachers Pay Teachers just to see what happens. (I have some mixed feelings about TPT – I don’t like all the cutesy stuff and maybe we should just be sharing materials for free? – but I want to give it a whirl.) Also, I’m training for a 100-mile mountain bike race and spending time with my daughter. I love summer!
That’s amazing, Christie! I contemplate TPT – but as a secondary teacher, cute fonts really aren’t my thing! HA 🙂 Enjoy your summer. Soak it all up!
I don’t have any hustles lined up aside from my regular jobs. We are finishing up our book, so I suppose that’s a side hustle =)
We are going on one big trip to take our kids to Minnesota then to Mexico this month. Other than that, we’re sticking close to home. I love summer!
Hooray for family vacations! Your girls are going to have the best memories when they’re older. Where are you headed in Mexico?
My hustling won’t be super-productive this summer. My class ended, so I’m going to pay a tutor to finish getting me up to speed on the skill that will double my earning potential. I did convince my roommates to pay me to mow the lawn. That’ll essentially be a 10% reduction in rent for two hours of working out a month.