Jobs For Teachers Outside Of Education

Education is a field that goes beyond the traditional image of a teacher standing at the front of a classroom. While your passion for education may run deep, the desire to pursue a career where you work with students may not align with your goals.

Having a teaching license is often associated with classroom instruction, but its value extends far beyond the confines of school walls. In fact, there are several jobs that allow you to tap into the knowledge, skills and expertise you learned while earning a teaching certification.  

Whether you’re a current educator looking for a change or you want to explore a career field that allows you to utilize your passion for education in innovative ways, having a teaching license opens doors to a wide range of opportunities.

Jobs For Teachers Outside Education

Teachers possess a wide range of skills that can be valuable in various fields outside of traditional education. Some great jobs for teachers outside education include:

• Corporate Trainer: Teaching skills translate well to corporate training positions, where educators can develop and deliver training programs for employees on various topics such as communication, leadership, and technology.
• Instructional Designer: Teachers can use their expertise to design educational materials, online courses, and training programs for organizations, businesses, or e-learning platforms.
• Curriculum Writer Or Developer: Teachers can work in curriculum development roles for educational publishers, developing textbooks, educational software and other instructional materials. School districts may also hire consultants to help with creating and implementing new curriculum.
• Education Consultant: Educators can provide consultancy services to schools, educational institutions, or government agencies on curriculum development, instructional strategies and educational policy.
• Human Resources Specialist: Teachers can apply their communication and interpersonal skills in human resources roles, such as recruitment, training, and employee development.
• Corporate Communications Specialist: Teachers with strong communication and writing skills can work in corporate communications departments, creating content for internal and external communication purposes.
• Education Content Writer/Editor: Teachers can use their expertise to write educational content for websites, blogs, textbooks or educational publications. They can also work as editors, reviewing and editing educational materials for accuracy and clarity.
• Education Technology Specialist: Teachers with a background in technology integration can work as education technology specialists, helping schools and organizations implement and utilize educational technology tools effectively.
• Museum Educator: Teachers can work in museums, science centers, or cultural institutions, developing and delivering educational programs and workshops for visitors of all ages.
• Nonprofit Program Manager: Teachers can transition into nonprofit organizations and manage educational programs, community outreach initiatives, or advocacy campaigns that address various social issues.

These are just a few examples, and the versatility of teaching skills means there are many other potential career paths outside of education that you can explore if you are leaving the classroom or want to pursue a career that focuses on education without teaching for school districts.

Why Get A Teacher’s License If You Don’t Teach

There are several reasons why someone might pursue a teacher's license even if they don't intend to work in a traditional teaching role.

In fact, a teacher’s license can open up a variety of career opportunities beyond traditional teaching roles. It demonstrates a certain level of expertise in education, which can be valuable in fields like corporate training, curriculum development, instructional design and educational consulting.

Even if you don't plan to teach in a classroom setting, the skills and knowledge gained through the process can be valuable for personal and professional growth.

While you may not initially intend to pursue a teaching career, having a teacher's license can serve as a backup plan or provide additional career options in case your circumstances or interests change in the future. There is a significant need for teachers in the state of Texas and across the United States, so having a Texas teacher certification can make it easier for you to transition into a new career if the opportunity arises.

It’s also important to note that some individuals may pursue a teacher's license out of a genuine passion for education and a desire to make a positive impact on learners' lives, even if they choose not to pursue a career in a traditional classroom setting. They may find fulfillment in contributing to education in other ways, including through educational advocacy, curriculum development, tutoring or mentoring.

While obtaining a teacher's license typically aligns with a career in education, there are many valid reasons why someone might choose to pursue it even if they don't plan to teach in a traditional setting.

How To Get A Teaching License

Whether you intend to teach in a classroom or use your teaching license in another way, obtaining a teacher license doesn’t have to be a long process. While you may think you need to go back to college and get a four-year teaching degree, in reality you can enroll in an educator preparation program where you may be able to earn your certification in just four to six months.

Alternative teacher certification programs are a great way to get your elementary teacher certification if you have:

• A bachelor’s degree
• An associate’s degree and some career experience in a particular field
• No degree but some career experience in a particular field

If you have a bachelor’s degree, to qualify for an alternative teacher certification program, your degree must be from an accredited institution of higher learning and you must have earned a minimum 2.5 GPA, according to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

If you do not meet these above requirements but have a bachelor’s degree, you can still qualify for a teacher preparation program. However, you must first pass a TxPACT exam, which is used for program admission. Only those who do not pass the above requirements must take the TxPACT.

If you have an associate’s degree from an accredited institution, you must have two years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past 10 years in the field to be taught and a current professional licensure to teach Health Science Technology, Criminal Justice or Cosmetology. If you don’t have a degree, you must have five years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past 10 years in the field to be taught.

When choosing the alternative teacher certification program, an online teacher certification program can offer flexibility and comfort. However, a hybrid of online and in-person training can offer the best of both worlds by also providing valuable hands-on experience, face-to-face interaction and continuous support.

Once you have chosen and enrolled in an educator preparation program, the next step is to fulfill your training and testing requirements. In Texas, you must complete:

• A minimum of 300 hours of training to receive a standard teaching certificate
• Of these 300 hours, 30 must be dedicated to the observation of a certified teacher in a classroom environment

It’s important to note that the 30 hours of observation by a teacher advisor is a very important part of your certification process. These certified teachers send a recommendation to your credential program that you are ready or not ready to teach in the classroom.

Here is where the program you choose makes a difference. ECAP has former principals, vice principals, and teachers who have extensive experience in helping you through this process. Not all programs do this. Some simply send past teachers who are ex-students of their program to evaluate you, so it is important to contact the program you are considering to ensure that you are going to get the best advisor to help you.

You’ll also need to pass your TExES content exams for either a single-subject teaching credential or multiple-subject teaching credential, as well as the PPR, or Texas Examinations of Educator Standards Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities. You may also have to take a teaching reading exam called the Science of Teaching Reading, depending on which teaching license you intend to pursue.

Finally, you’ll need to complete any required background checks and submit your teaching license application using your Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) account. 

Whether you're a seasoned educator contemplating a career shift or an aspiring professional eager to explore the intersections of education and innovation, harnessing the power of a teaching license can lead you toward a fulfilling and impactful journey beyond the classroom.