Education Jobs Beyond The Classroom

Are there jobs for former teachers that don’t occur in the classroom? Of course, there are! Facilitating learning can take place in many different settings and in different industries. Education in all its forms impacts lives. The reality is that more teachers than ever are opting out of the traditional classroom for the sake of their mental health, physical health, life balance, or other reasons. Yet most who leave still want to remain connected to teaching and learning. After all, that is where their passion and experience lie. In addition to the obvious assistant principal and principal positions, you may be able to find an opening for a special education coordinator, guidance counsellor, speech or occupational therapist, math or reading coach, school psychologist, Title 1 teacher, or central/district office roles (such as curriculum specialists.) Most of these jobs require special schooling and certification, but if you have a connection and know that a position will open up, you might want to pursue the additional training. I also know teachers who have gotten certified as speech pathologists and reading coaches and then relocated to other parts of the country to find a position. If the work is something you really feel passionate about doing, the move might be worth it!

Are you worried your skills won’t transfer? Not true. Teachers are smart and skilled workers who would easily qualify for a wide variety of jobs in a variety of industries. In order to make a successful transition, it’s a matter of presenting your experience differently and highlighting skills instead of teaching jobs. 

Addiction Counsellor
Addiction counsellors provide support, counselling, and treatment for people with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Many of the skills required to be a good teacher—empathy, listening, and being able to develop a personalized plan—apply nicely. 

Adult Education Teacher
This job is perfect for educators who want to work in a different environment and with non-traditional students. These teachers work with adults who have not yet finished high school and are ready to get the skills to advance in their careers. It is an opportunity to work with students who are usually highly motivated and appreciative of the chance to learn to read or to qualify for their general equivalency diploma (GED). 

Adult ESL Teacher
Maybe you’ve got the skills to teach English-language learners but are tired of working in the public school system or with children. Adult ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers instruct adults in fundamental skills, such as reading, writing, and speaking English. In addition, they may help newcomers to our country with customs and everyday life questions.

After School Programs Manager:
As an after-school program manager, your professional duties are likely to include leading the development of high-quality after-school programming and activities that educate kids and provide enrichment opportunities.

Camp Director:
The Camp Director is responsible for the care, safety, protection and supervision of the camp environments, staff and participants. The planning, preparation and organization of daily activities and site (set-up/clean-up), as well as all administrative duties of camp.

Curriculum Service Rep
Publishing companies that create curricula for school districts often employ former teachers as service representatives. Your job is to connect with and train educators on using the company’s products. The advantages of this position are that you get to use the knowledge you’ve gained as a classroom teacher (which makes it easier to connect with clients), you can usually work part-time, you control your schedule, and you make a lot more money. 

Curriculum Writer/Creator
Want to improve the quality of what students learn? Interested in working with teachers? Informing the curriculum is a great way to directly impact what goes on in the classroom without actually being in it! Whether that means going with one of the big education curriculum companies or producing your own content on paid teacher sites, it’s a great opportunity to share your knowledge with other teachers.

Dog Trainer
Love animals and want to use your teaching skills in a setting where students don’t talk back? Dog trainers work with dogs to teach them basic obedience and, in some cases, advanced performance activities. Dogs are often used for emotional support following school crises. Some dog trainers may work primarily with dogs to correct their behaviour, and others may work with dogs to prepare them for shows or competitions.

Educational Policy Expert
If you’re considering leaving the classroom, there’s a chance it’s because you don’t agree with a mandated policy … or 30. Be the change by becoming a policy expert, a person who has hands-on administrative experience with a desire to review and adjust policies within educational institutions.

Educational Consultant 
Designs and prepares programs by selecting appropriate content, determining format and arranging for material and human resources. Acts as a resource to counsellors, teachers, and private and public agencies regarding educational methods, visual and teaching resources, program planning, etc.

Educational Technology Consultant
There are several different ways in which an educational technology consultant helps schools and businesses. A former classroom teacher says, “Lots of ed-tech and consulting jobs out there need a teacher’s experience. Think about all the software we used to transition to distance learning. All those companies are booming and may be hiring.” 

Community Director
Think of your local YMCA or youth centre; any place kids go for extracurricular enrichment. Who better than a former teacher to organize and facilitate educational and athletic programs and events? In addition, this position allows you to impact your community on a larger scale. 

Corporate Trainer
Corporate trainers are like teachers who work in corporate or other professional settings to promote employee growth and development. They may train teams in person to develop their skills or create entire training programs used to teach and train employees. According to WGU, the career path of a corporate trainer can be rewarding for those with a passion for teaching. Anyone who is outgoing loves being around people and likes to teach would be an excellent fit for this position and can take simple steps to get started.

Classroom Assistant / Para-educator
Still want to work one-on-one or in small groups with children? Being a para gives you the opportunity to teach and connect with kids without all the additional stressful responsibilities like staff meetings, parent-teacher conferences, etc. The downside, of course, is the move comes with a significant pay cut. 

Career Coach
A career coach is a development professional who helps people adjust and improve their career paths through one-on-one guidance and advising. You may consider a career coach for several reasons, including to find a new job, to change careers, or to work toward a promotion. 

Creator/Vendor Educational Materials: Teachers Pay Teachers:
Teachers Pay Teachers is an online resource that provides teachers with the capacity to monetize their educational materials. Here, educators can publish and make their own products available at a custom price. In doing so, they can benefit from a share of the profit on every sale.

Disability Services Coordinator
This job helps support individuals with disabilities to live independently in the community. If you have medium- to large-size companies that employ people with disabilities, maybe start there. City and Provincial offices and child protective services need SPED-educated clients all the time.

Driving Instructor
If you love working with teens looking to build valuable life skills, this might be a good position. It’s the instructor’s job to analyze a student’s current ability and tailor driving lessons in a way that leads to success and minimizes the seriousness that potential mistakes could lead to.

Education Manager
Big corporations are a great place to look for jobs for former teachers. An education manager typically works within a company to facilitate teaching and learning activities. They may have administrative duties like organizing educational programs, obtaining funding, instructing, and more. 

Event Planner
Were you the teacher who liked to plan all the events and functions at your school? If so, extend that passion to the event-planning space. You’ll still get to interact with others and plan and lead projects through to fruition.

Editor
If you don’t feel much like writing but still want to facilitate the distribution of content, you may want to look at becoming an editor. An editor typically works with writers to develop content that fits within the editorial guidelines of an online or print publication. Writing and management skills are a must! And if you worked within a particular subject, you may find your knowledge is even more in demand for editorial work.

Freelance Writer
If you love to write and are a hard worker who will do the detective work to land writing gigs, then freelancing is an awesome option. There are lots of education-related publishers looking for contributors. You can work from home, write when it fits your schedule, and make decent money. A former classroom teacher says, “I became a copywriter when I retired after 32 years because I love to write and it combined my English and journalism major.” 

Foreign Language Interpreter/Translator
Did you teach a foreign language? Why not pivot those skills to being an interpreter or translator? You’ll be working on converting the spoken or written word in at least two languages, so your fluency level must be high.

Health Coach/Personal Trainer
A health coach works to be a mentor and wellness authority to assist individuals in making food and lifestyle changes. A former classroom teacher shares, “I left teaching because I replaced my income within six months of health coaching, and I am impacting many lives. The most rewarding career I have ever had and freedom to work from anywhere.” 

Interpreter for the Deaf
Look within your school district for job opportunities for former teachers. If you have the skills, serving as an interpreter for the deaf is a great way to work one-on-one with students in a classroom setting. 

Instructional Coach/Mentor
Many districts promote senior teachers to positions where they mentor and coach new and struggling teachers. Some coaches work at only one school, and some travel throughout the district. In these jobs for former teachers, you’ll get to spend time in classrooms but not be responsible for your own kiddos. Meghann R. reveals, “I’m a literacy coach for ELA educators. I coach teachers who are new to the profession or immensely struggling with their instructional strategies.” She started her coaching business after seeing how desperate fellow educators had become to simply keep their heads above water. “As someone who personally experienced those same struggles in my earlier years of education, I felt I could make a tremendous impact on others by offering my expertise where some are really struggling.” Contact your local school districts for sample job listings.

Instructional Designer
Instructional designers need to possess a versatile skillset in order to create effective learning courses and materials to meet their intended goals. These professionals not only need to have a mastery of learning design but technology as well, given that they:

• Design instructional management systems
• Evaluate new eLearning material
• Create educational podcasts, videos and content
• Design and revamp both new and established learning models
• Implement feedback from program reviews
• Train others on how to deliver learning material
• Research new innovations in both learning design and education

Librarian
For those who love books and/or encouraging research or a love of reading, this position might be for you! Librarians select books and educational materials for schools as well as business, law, and public libraries. Generally, you’ll need a master’s degree in Library Science (MLS). A former classroom teacher says, “Now I work in the children’s department of the local library, and I have never been happier.” 

Life Coach
Life coaching is similar to teaching in that you’ll be helping someone find their strengths and work to meet the goals they create. The big difference is you’ll be working with adults outside of a classroom setting.

Museum Education
Do you have a passion for culture? This role helps create and implement educational events and programs at places like museums and zoos. You still get to work with curriculum and learning and, best of all, kids.

Nanny
Some former teachers now work for wealthy families. They enjoy being around kids and helping with homework/tutoring, and they get nice perks, like travelling with the children and parents on exotic vacations. Nannies who earn the most often have special education certification and work for the families of kids with special needs.

Non-Profit Organizations:

• Director of Education: A Non-Profit Executive Director leads and manages a non-profit organization, overseeing operations, finances, programs, staff, and volunteers. They drive strategic planning, fundraising, and stakeholder relationships to achieve the organization’s mission and goals.
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Nutritionist
Dietitians and nutritionists counsel clients on nutrition issues and healthy eating habits. They are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. These are perfect jobs for former teachers because you can put your lesson planning and instruction skills to use by planning and conducting food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.

Online Educator
Red tape and pressure still apply, but one of the best jobs for former teachers is an online educator. It’s been a game changer for many people, especially now that we’ve all done it during quarantine. The pay, even when salaried, is less, but so is the stress. A former classroom teacher agrees, “I’m still teaching virtually on a virtual platform. I’ve been working for a couple of years. I enjoy it because I teach what I want and how I want.” 

Post-Secondary Academic Advisor
As a teacher, you’re well-versed in looking at the big picture when it comes to helping students succeed—both academically and personally. Being an academic advisor is often a good match for people who’ve left the teaching profession but don’t want to leave the education sector altogether. Note: Most universities prefer candidates with master’s degrees and relevant higher-education experience. 

Prison Educator
Prisoners can earn degrees while incarcerated. People with teaching degrees are often needed as instructors for classes offered to inmates trying to turn their lives around. Some people also become online teachers, and that’s the primary way inmates get their education. You could also work in a juvenile facility where you can teach or mentor young adults.

Some shy away from this because they fear for their safety. A former classroom teacher says otherwise. “It’s a great gig! You get the best, most motivated students. They will go out of their way to keep you safe because they value you so much. Go for it!”  

Registrar: A registrar maintains student records and course data, which can include helping students schedule or register for classes. They also make sure that their academic performance meets graduation requirements in order to reach an institution’s goals by verifying grades with teachers.

School Counsellor
School counsellors are in a unique position to help students and make improvements to the school. While still working within a school district, counsellors serve as personal advocates for students in need and are responsible for organizing programs to help the student body. It may take further education, but the investment is worth it. Contact your local school districts for job listings.

Tutor
Use your expertise as an instructor and start your own tutoring business. Yes, tutoring jobs are some of the most obvious jobs for former teachers. However, if you build up your own clientele, you can make serious money, with experienced tutors charging anywhere from $35 to $50 per hour. Tap into those good relationships you’ve built over the years and make the transition to working at your own pace and on your own terms. A former classroom teacher shares, “I resigned after 20 years of teaching, and I’ve never been happier! My school families started reaching out to me almost immediately to ask if I’d be interested in becoming a personal tutor for their children. I designed individual plans based on their needs.” 

Technical Instructor
Technical instructors provide a variety of training in fields such as auto repair, health care, culinary science, and more. They design curricula, encourage class discussion, and teach technical skills to students (for example, auto repair tech instructors might teach how to fix a damaged car frame or replace a tire). 

Parenting Coach
Sometimes, parenting can be a challenge. A parent needs to not just care for their child but to understand their emotions, behaviour, and psychological state of mind. Parents are not experts in every subject and often need a little help along the way. As a parenting coach, you can work hours that suit your schedule while you put your leadership and mentoring skills to good use. In order to work with young children, you will require a background in Early Childhood Education. 

Post-Secondary Admissions Coach
Choosing a post-secondary destination is often an overwhelming process. The options seem endless, and there are many factors to consider. College coaches provide students with college admissions services like help with college essays, applications, and SAT/ACT prep. College admissions coaches can also help with financial aid, scholarships, and grants.

Post-Secondary Educator
Post-secondary teachers work in colleges, including community colleges and universities. They may provide instruction or conduct and publish research. A master’s degree is often sufficient to work at the community college level, but a doctoral degree is necessary to have a future at the university level. 

User Experience Designer
A User Experience (UX) Designer’s role is to make a product or service usable, enjoyable, and accessible—skills that teachers work on every day. After all, good teachers create lessons with their students’ experiences in mind. This role is particularly suited for teachers with strong tech skills. While many companies design user experiences, the term is most often associated with digital design for websites and apps. 

Writer:  Your teacher’s writing and editing skills could help you land a job in books, magazines, newspapers, online publications, blogs or newsletters.
Your teaching degree and specialization in subjects is a great starting point for a job at a trade publication within your field, such as science, history or business journals.

Also, consider authoring or overseeing the publication of student textbooks. Not only can you use your writing and editing skills, you can remain in the education field and leave the classroom.

Other Education-Related Job Possibilities:

• Play Centre Manager
• Preschool Director
• Play Therapist

Look for education opportunities in your local job listings. Some of the most interesting jobs may be ones you didn’t even know existed.

There are different kinds of organizations looking for experienced teachers to lend their expertise to products, blogs, webinars, and more. You can find listings for teachers to consult on curriculum development projects and grant-based work. There are also openings for hospital family education coordinators, technology trainers for local businesses, and other jobs that rely heavily on the speaking, presentation, interpersonal, and instructional skills that teachers possess.