There’s a common misconception that teachers spend their entire summer vacation lounging by a pool. The reality is plenty of teachers pick up a summer job to keep their income flowing. Your best bet is to play to your strengths. As someone who specializes in early childhood education, you are well-positioned for several types of summer jobs.
Lifeguard
If you’re a strong swimmer, then becoming a lifeguard is a great summer job. These jobs are always available, as every apartment and condo complex in your town needs a lifeguard. Your days essentially consist of keeping your eyes on the pool, especially when swimmers are in deep water. If the pool isn’t busy, then you get paid to lounge by the pool. The pay usually ranges between $12 and $15 per hour depending on your experience.
The only catch with becoming a lifeguard is it requires certification. The certification class involves a distance swimming test, as well as a test where you rescue a dummy from deep water and swim it back to safety. The other part of your certification involves CPR and basic First Aid practices. The swimming test is pretty tough, so you are better off picking something else if swimming isn’t your strong suit.
Babysitter/Nanny
A natural choice of summer employment for early childhood educators is watching other people’s children. Gone are the days of the stay-at-home mom. Both parents work full-time jobs in today’s family, which has made childcare a booming industry. This is especially true in the summer when children are out of school. If you can hook up with the right family, then you can turn it into a lucrative full-time summer job.
The pay for a nanny varies widely. Someone with a degree in early childhood education can command a high hourly rate because they are professionally trained in handling behavioral issues. This gives parents an extra feeling of security that they are willing to pay for. This is a great option for teachers who don’t have young children of their own.
Private Tutor
Standardized testing has become more prominent at an earlier age. The issue is many districts are underfunded, which means bigger class sizes. Teachers don’t have the time or resources to give struggling students individual attention. There’s a good chance a couple of your students have private tutors during the school year, and some parents are extending these tutoring sessions into the summer.
This is another job where your educational background and work experience allows you to command a high hourly rate. Any parent who is serious about getting their child on par with their grade level will jump at the chance to higher a certified teacher. You can earn an even higher wage if you have special education certification. Finding clients is as easy as letting the parents of your students know that you offer summer tutoring sessions. You already have a relationship with these students, and this will allow you to make quick progress.
Camp Counselor
Being a camp counselor is a good job for those who love the outdoors. Most of your day is spent out in the sun organizing activities and supervising the action. You get paid to entertain your inner child while taking advantage of teachable moments as they arise. Camp counselors can have a significant positive impact on a child. It’s a job that it is emotionally rewarding beyond any hourly wage.
Becoming a camp counselor usually requires First Aid and CPR certification. The pay is average, but the job is easy for someone whose main job is teaching. It’s essentially teaching an extended recess. Another perk about being a camp counselor is that all the positions are seasonal. This means you can earn yourself a job to go back to every summer since they don’t have to replace you during the school year.
Monetize a Hobby
Imagine being your own boss while making money off of something you love to do. The Internet has made this fantasy summer job a reality for many teachers. There are websites, like Fivver.com, where you can sell virtually any service for $5. Jobs in high demand include web graphics, social media posts, short articles, and basic data entry tasks. While this may not seem like much money, it carries a fraction of the stress of other summer jobs.
Sit down and make a list of all your hobbies. The most lucrative hobbies to monetize are writing and digital photography. Almost every business has a blog these days, and they fill that blog with content from freelancers. The best part is you don’t have to be an amazing writer to write web content. All you have to do is obtain a basic understanding of writing for the web and you will earn plenty of money to enjoy your summer.
Teach Summer School
While this may seem like an obvious choice, most teachers don’t pursue this avenue as strongly as they could. Most public school teachers put in for summer school, and the limited spaces go to the teachers with the most seniority. There also is less of a demand for summer public school teachers in early childhood education.
With that being said, there are several “day care centers” around the country that have morphed into academies that keep students academically sharp during the summer months. Also to the care specialists, these academies are hiring educational professionals with backgrounds in early childhood education to lead these summer tutoring programs.
Uber Driver
For those that don’t know, Uber is a ridesharing app that lets regular people register to function as a personal driver/unofficial taxi driver. Some drivers make up to $30 an hour just for picking up people and driving them around town. You get to use your own car and set your own hours, and you get to meet new people. This is a great job for people who like to talk, as it can be uncomfortable sitting in silence on long rides.
The catch with Uber is it’s only worth it if you live near a fairly populated city. For example, Uber is much more lucrative in New York City than Cheyenne, Wyoming. The plus side is Uber is constantly expanding as demand increases, so this could become an option in your city if it isn’t already.
House Sitter
There are few jobs easier than watching someone’s house while they’re away on vacation. Duties usually include getting the mail, watering plants, feeding pets, and other basic housekeeping tasks.
The downside of this job is it can be tough to make it a regular income. You could make a profile on a website like Care.com to prospect for clients in your area and build yourself a reputation a dependable house sitter. This is a job you could combine with something like freelancing and pad your summer income.
Library Assistant
Every town has a library, and they love to hire people in the Education field. One job in particular that suits early childhood education professionals is assisting with children’s literacy programs. This can turn into a lucrative position for someone who is certified in literacy.
Otherwise, a job as a library assistant can be as simple as putting back returned books in their assigned spaces on the shelves, and answering any questions patrons might have regarding finding resources. All that is required of you is understanding the Dewey decimal system and having a passion for books.