The Eclectic Teacher... by Ginny Hoover

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Summertime Income
Ginny's Summer List of 35+

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Have you ever thought about summer employment? Well for most teachers, money is an issue. If there are ways that teachers can make money in the summer, exactly what are the choices? Of course, you'll need the skills to do them, but I've known teachers who have done each and every one of the jobs on the following list. The key to success is having marketable skills and understanding a summer labor market.

In education:

1. Teacher summer school.
2. Prepare an in-service on a current issue and send out plans to teacher service centers.
3. Create some weekend (short) seminars and present the plan to local colleges or professional in-service provider companies (some of them pay $500 a day).
4. Tutoring will bring in some money, but it won't be a huge moneymaker.
5. Plan and execute a summer camp for a sport such as basketball---can be a weeklong camp held at a facility like a college and have use of dorms, or plan a day camp.
6. Plan and execute a summer camp for cheerleading, twirling, or dance groups---again, can be a weeklong camp held at a facility like a college campus and have use of dorms, or plan a day camp.
7. Offer art and crafts classes to the community.

House painting and other around the house ideas (there is always a need, especially in areas where storms hit in the spring):

1. Get a couple of teachers together who know how to use a paint brush and start a house painting group---you can keep the cost down and still have excellent money coming in.
2. Another opportunity, do interior painting (a teacher crew usually does well!).
3. Young people can make really good money shingling (spring storms almost always guarantee a demand), but shingling requires good physical endurance!
4. Get a spring cleaning crew together and do outside windows.

Lawn and garden:

1. This is a wide-open opportunity in most communities and is a BIG money maker as long as you have basic tools available to you. One good way to get started is to offer services in a new housing area. (I have known teachers to make thousands of dollars doing this!)
2. Tree trimming and help with gardening are also ideas that will bring in extra income.
3. Install lawn irrigation systems. It's not a high tech job, but you'll need some training. It pays well and much of the big equipment needed (trencher) can be rented economically.
4. Install fencing...now so much is pre-assembled, that it is much easier these days to build backyard fences.
5. Check into summer positions at greenhouses.

Opportunities in local businesses

1. Many car companies have greeters at the door who contact salesmen and get coffee for customers. Talk about a low-pressure job! It is usually minimum wage, but requires no real business experience.
2. Hotels need part-time help during the summer and teachers are ideal people for front-desk work.
3. Teachers are basically computer literate these days, so teachers could also look for jobs in the computer field---depending on just how techie they really are.
4. Some factories/processing companies have a variety of jobs though the summer (such as lawn care).

Farming

1. Those of you who live near farms might be able to drive wheat and other crops to the elevator.
2. Also, corn-detasseling crews provide good opportunities for teachers. They look for adults who are used to keeping young workers on task.
3. If you have any crop crews in your area, teachers are ideal for managing the group and often do well with that type of job.
4. Work for an elevator; they often need people to help weigh in trucks, etc.

Specialties

1. I'm thinking that there are crafty people out there who could do well working in a craft shop OR complete enough in the way of craft projects to do the craft show circuit in your area. A couple of people could get together and create a number of products for one booth. It is fun and lucrative if you have the products in demand.
2. In addition, bakers usually do well at this type of show---cinnamon rolls, dried noodles, kinds of bread, etc.
3. Many newspapers need extra help in the summer (covering for summer vacations). If you can do quality editing or if you would be good at the desk for classifieds, etc., you might find an opportunity there.
4. Car sales---great summer opportunity and if you are knowledgeable and a good people person, money can be made. However, if your state requires a license to do this, you need to make sure that you study and get the test out of the way as soon as possible.
5. Bringing to life old furniture, cars, etc. and then marketing them. (You could market furniture by just having weekend garage sales!) My dad did well remodeling older RV's. (You just have to have the skills first.)
6. Hire on as an umpire for the city recreation department.
7. Keep ball diamonds ready for play (chalking lines, keep grass from growing on the diamond, mowing, putting out bases, keep concessions).
8. Plan and organize summer parties.
9. Sign on for a summer of life guarding at the local pool or swimming area.
10. Concessions are fun to provide. Running a concession stand is really pretty easy and can net good money.
11. Firecracker stands are good moneymakers. Purchase the fireworks, locate a spot to market the products, and set up a stand (tent, etc) and you're ready to make money. Rules for fireworks vary from city to city as well as state to state---BUT it is a great fast moneymaker!
12. Are you brave? Hire bands and put on summer dances. Great money in this if you have the right place, a good band, and people to help with gates, concessions, and bouncing. (You'll need to check for city regulations on safety, etc.)

So many things can be done. Many times it is just being in the right place at the right time or having the imagination to create your own summer job opportunities.

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Ginny's Educational WebPages: http://www.geocities.com/ginnyks

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