Teacher working on edtech side hustle while managing teaching responsibilities.
As a teacher, have you ever wondered how you can make more money? What kind of ideas came to your mind? Starting a side hustle in edtech is an excellent idea because you’re building on skills you already have. The secret to balancing teaching with edtech successfully is monetizing something you enjoy and are already good at.
Why Balancing Teaching with Edtech Side Hustles Pays Off
Imagine waking up one morning ready for work, only to realize your car won’t start. You need cash urgently, but borrowing from your employer isn’t an option. Now you’re scrambling for help while rushing, calling people during peak hours. Stressful, right?
A side hustle is a game-changer. Here’s why:
- Extra income: A side hustle gives you multiple streams of income and helps you manage unexpected expenses more confidently.
- Skill growth: You’ll gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and even sharpen recent skills you’ve acquired.
- Passion meets purpose: Most educators who start side hustles focus on things they enjoy. That joy fuels consistency and fulfillment.
- Career pivoting: Your side hustle can grow into your dream job. Flexibility, freedom, and working on your own terms become possible.
- Improved time management: A side hustle naturally builds structure into your day. You’ll become more focused and intentional with your time.
Strategies for Balancing Teaching with Edtech Innovations
1. Know what you can handle
Map out your day-to-day responsibilities. Plan tomorrow today. Review your schedule, and set aside time to complete side hustle tasks consistently.
2. Give it your best
Excellence in both areas matters. Stay focused and committed to showing up fully for your students and your business goals.
3. Plan your week in advance
Use a planner or apps like Google Calendar to map out your priorities, appointments, and break times.
4. Set boundaries and rest often
Your body and mind need recovery time. Block off rest periods and honor them. Avoid thinking about work during those breaks—it matters.
5. Outsource what you can
You don’t have to do it all alone. Consider hiring help for administrative tasks, tech setup, or content support when needed.
6. Stay focused and avoid distractions
Multitasking kills productivity. When you’re teaching—teach. When you’re working your side hustle—be present. You’ll move faster with fewer errors.
Best Tools for Balancing Teaching with Edtech Side Hustles
Managing a full-time job and a side hustle requires the right tools. Here are some essentials:
- Asana: Great for task management, especially when juggling multiple projects.
- Google Calendar: Stay on top of appointments, deadlines, and reminders with real-time alerts.
- Harvest: Perfect for tracking time spent on freelance edtech work and creating client invoices.
- Todoist: Organize your tasks, prioritize to-do lists, and stay in sync with any collaborators.
Final Thoughts
Balancing teaching with edtech isn’t easy—but it’s absolutely possible. With discipline, tools, and a little bit of structure, you can manage both. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, shift careers, or just grow personally, now’s the perfect time to take that step.
Need help turning your edtech skills into a side hustle? Work with me and let’s build something that fits your life and legacy.
Have a question or challenge you’d like to discuss? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear from you.