February 2023 – Thrive Beyond Teaching

Everyone knows that most teachers have summers off. Sounds dreamy, right? It can be! But… Many teachers also spend the summer working for free preparing for the next school year, completing professional development, and stressing about money. Do teachers even get paid over the summer? And if so, how? The answer is not one-size-fits-all. Some teachers do not get paid over the summer at all. Some teachers do get paid over the summer. Then there are teachers who take on a second job to supplement their income over the summer months. There is no one answer as to whether teachers get paid over summer vacation or not. According to the National Education Association, the average salary for new teachers in the United States in 2020-2021 was an abysmal $41,770. With teachers' salaries lagging behind inflation year after year, most teachers find themselves looking at their options over summer breaks. 10-Month or 12 -Month Salary Schedules I have worked in three different public school districts in three different states. The first one was the only one that gave teachers an option to divide their pay periods into 10 months or 12 months. The other two school districts simply paid teachers over a 12-month period. In School District 1, I have experienced going with both options. There are definitely pros and cons to each. The main benefit of the 10-month option is that you get a bigger paycheck. BUT… If you go this route, make sure you plan for summer! Plan to save enough money to at least make ends meet. You’ll be going from a large paycheck to no check for at least two months. Often it’s more like a three month time period because of the way the pay calendar is in most districts. Based on my experiences with both, I think it’s wiser to go with the 12-month pay structure and have a steady paycheck year round. Plus, it's kind of nice to feel like you've got paid vacation time! Summer Jobs for Teachers Whether teachers get paid over 10 or 12 months, many often take on summer jobs to make some extra money while we’ve got the time. These may be teacher-related jobs or non-teacher related jobs. Teacher-Related Summer Jobs Some educators may choose summer jobs related to our field for several reasons. They can be easier to score. They may pay better due to your prior teaching experience. They may come as second nature to you because of your education experience. As a new teacher, I’ve worked at summer camps. I’ve also taken on some tutoring. Personally, I find it hard to teach over the summers. For me, it leads to burnout and not enjoying my job as much during the school year. You probably have an instinct for what’s right for you, and you might have to go through some trial and error to learn what’s a good fit. It may also change from year to year. And that’s okay too. Your school district might offer summer school and need teachers to fill those positions. There might also be other summer work opportunities for school staff. Being a lead teacher at a summer camp is another possible option, but I find this exhausting work, especially for the usually low pay. Being a private tutor can be a nice alternative. You can set your hours and pay, and you would work with students one-on-one or in small groups. You could find clients on sites like care.com or through word-of-mouth in your school community. All my tutoring gigs have come from putting the word out that I was taking on new students. You will probably even be able to find work as an online tutor while you're in your shorts and flip-flops. While tutoring may be less reliable than a summer camp job, I find it far more enjoyable and far less stressful. Non-Teacher Related Summer Jobs Sometimes you might just need a complete break from teaching over the summer. There are countless options for teachers who want to make some extra money doing something completely different over summer break. Here are a few ideas. Serving or Bartending- A summer gig like this can provide a refreshing change of pace from your typical work week in a completely new atmosphere. There’s also the potential to make a ton of cash or at least fund your summer adventures. Plus, you probably won't need to have much prior experience, if any. Online Options- Especially since the pandemic, there are more and more options for flexible, part-time, online work. You can offer your services in freelance writing, virtual assisting, proofreading, writing lesson plans, or a host of other areas depending on your skill set. You can check job boards and/or offer your services on online platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Please Note: Regardless of which route you choose, start executing your plan for summer come spring break, or even sooner. Especially if you know you will need that money over the summer. Getting hired or finding steady clients can take a couple months to get going. You might not have as much time as you think to put side jobs in place for the summer holidays. The options abound for teachers trying to make extra income over the summer. You may even decide to keep your summer gig going once school starts back! Starting Your Own Business This website is all about teachers taking care of ourselves financially and otherwise, so you know this is my favorite option! If you’ve got the time over the summer and you’re not strapped for cash right now, I highly recommend starting your own business. I wish I had used my time off to do so years ago.I’d choose something remote and flexible that you can stick with to varying degrees throughout the school year. I encourage you to look beyond summer if you can. Instead of just making some extra cash, you could use your summer vacation time and other school breaks to build up a business that could serve you for years to come with a little bit of extra work and dedication. It’s an investment in yourself that most teachers cannot afford not to make. Closing Thoughts Curate your summer as you see fit. This is your hard-earned time! Rest and enjoy your free time, make a little extra income, start a side hustle, or start a business that could change your future. There’s no wrong answer as long as you are at the wheel. If you are thinking of starting a side hustle (I hate that term! 😂) or an online business, you might be interested in the blog posts below for some additional information. The Pros and Cons of 3 Remote Teacher Side Hustles Teachers Can Make Money Blogging- 4 Teacher Bloggers That Prove It No matter what you decide to do with your summers, I hope it helps you to rejuvenate and thrive! You deserve it!