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The shift from classroom teaching to online education brings opportunities to maintain your teaching identity while setting your own schedule. Your teaching background provides a solid foundation for building an online business that fits your lifestyle.
Building an online teaching business requires skills different from classroom management, and the rewards include schedule flexibility and location independence. The digital education landscape opens multiple paths for generating income with your teaching background.
Let’s explore eight online teaching businesses you can start from home, with specific platforms and practical steps to begin.
Best Online Teaching Businesses
1. Online English Teaching
Teaching English online connects you with students worldwide through established platforms. Many companies actively seek teachers with classroom experience and teaching credentials.
Getting Started:
- VIPKid: Apply with a bachelor’s degree and teaching experience. The platform provides lesson materials and handles scheduling.
- iTutorGroup: Submit your application, complete their training, and choose available teaching hours.
- Preply: Create a tutor profile, set your rates, and connect with students directly.
- EF Education First: Complete their application process and teaching demo to join their established platform.
2. Course Creation and Digital Products
Creating and selling educational materials allows you to help other teachers while building passive income streams. This business model works well for those who enjoy curriculum development.
Getting Started:
- Teachers Pay Teachers: Open a seller account, create downloadable resources, and list your first products.
- Udemy: Design your course outline, record video lessons, and upload materials through their platform.
- Teachable: Build your own course website, set pricing, and maintain control of your student list.
- Podia: Host and sell courses, digital downloads, and memberships in one place.
3. Private Tutoring Platform
Starting an online tutoring business lets you work with students in your subject area while setting your own rates and schedule.
Getting Started:
- Wyzant: Create a profile highlighting your teaching background and subject areas.
- Varsity Tutors: Apply as a tutor and pass their subject tests to start matching with students.
- TutorMe: Complete their application process and subject exams to join their network.
- Start your own website: Use platforms like Squarespace or WordPress with TutorBird scheduling integration.
4. Educational Consulting
Educational consulting involves helping schools and teachers improve their teaching methods or transition to online learning.
Getting Started:
- LinkedIn: Build a professional profile highlighting your teaching achievements and consulting services.
- Clarity.fm: Create a profile to offer paid consultation calls.
- Upwork: Set up a consulting profile focusing on educational projects.
- Local networking: Connect with school districts through educational conferences and professional associations.
5. Specialized Academic Coaching
Academic coaching focuses on helping students develop study skills, test-taking strategies, or subject mastery.
Getting Started:
- Revolution Prep: Apply as an academic advisor for test prep and subject tutoring.
- ArborBridge: Join their test prep tutoring team for SAT/ACT preparation.
- Princeton Review: Apply as an online tutor for standardized test preparation.
- Your own coaching program: Use Calendly for scheduling and Zoom for sessions.
6. Interactive Online Workshops
Creating live workshops allows you to teach multiple students simultaneously while building your brand.
Getting Started:
- Outschool: Design and host live classes for K-12 students.
- Skillshare: Create workshop-style classes focusing on specific skills.
- WebinarJam: Host your own branded workshops with marketing tools included.
- Zoom: Schedule and host independent workshops using breakout rooms for group activities.
7. Educational Content Creation
Writing educational content for companies combines teaching knowledge with content creation skills.
Getting Started:
- Contena: Find educational writing opportunities and content creation jobs.
- ProBlogger Job Board: Look for educational content writing positions.
- Education.com: Apply to create educational materials and lesson plans.
- Pearson: Check their careers page for freelance content development opportunities.
8. Teacher Training and Professional Development
Helping other teachers improve their skills provides a way to impact education on a broader scale.
Getting Started:
- Google for Education: Become a certified trainer and offer professional development.
- Microsoft Educator Center: Complete certifications to teach other educators.
- Canvas Network: Create professional development courses for teachers.
- BetterLesson: Apply to become a coaching consultant for their professional development programs.
Building Your Educational Business Legacy
Starting an online teaching business allows you to maintain your connection to education while creating a flexible work schedule. Each option presents unique opportunities to use your classroom experience in new ways.
Pick one path that aligns with your interests and start small. Focus on establishing your presence on one platform before expanding. Your teaching background provides the foundation – now it’s time to build your online education business.