Recently, I did an interview about teaching online. The specific purpose of the interview was to discuss pre-recorded lessons.
At the end of the interview I was asked, “What tips or advice would you give anyone wanting to venture into teaching online?”
This question is always asked, but this time, I paused before responding.
I thought about it. My answer a year ago or even three months ago would have been completely different. But, right now, as I am making this transition into hiring teachers and finalizing my workbooks, my response is different.
The tip I would give someone looking to teach online is to develop your curriculum to teach and package to sell. There are teachers already doing this on websites such as Teachers Pay Teachers. However, I want new teachers to look at this as their business. It was hard for me to distinguish teaching as my passion to teaching as a business. I had, and still have, conflicting thoughts about paying for education. I also have conflicting thoughts about being underpaid.
There are many opportunities to earn income beyond teaching classes online.
Pre-recorded courses allow one to earn income without having to be present.
- Develop workbooks.
- Make lesson plans.
- Provide consultations to new teachers
Think about the options and opportunities as being limitless.
Rather than doing all the work, I am hiring teachers to teach my curriculum, so I can fully focus on producing and publishing my workbooks. After I do my beta testing with these teachers over the summer, I plan on hiring more for the fall. I have had to shift my mindset. I’m not just teaching because I love to teach. I am teaching to build wealth. In the midst of doing this, I make sure that I give back just as I receive. I fully believe that what I give is what I get. I do this through my volunteer efforts and offering free courses in February and throughout the summer.
So, my new tip to teachers is to think beyond just teaching online (if you have an interest in seeing your skill set as a business).
#Teacherpreneur