What are the Best Jobs for Former Teachers?

When looking for a new career after teaching, it's important to keep all your options open if you are unsure what you want to do after leaving your teaching job. Pursuing different career options has many benefits, and your teaching skills and character will still be highly valued. Do you want to discover more? From working for the local government to working abroad, find the best jobs for teachers outside of teaching in Canada!

Want to give private lessons?

Join the Superprof community and share your knowledge with inquiring and motivated students.

Create an ad

Government Jobs for Teachers Outside of Education

When searching for jobs for former teachers, you might find that working in the public sector could be the right choice because of the many benefits and security involved. For example, one of the main benefits of the public sector is that employees usually have job security in long-term and stable employment positions. You will also receive government benefit plans and secure pensions, which often drive people's decisions when deciding between the public and the private sectors.

Many government job positions really value teaching experience, especially if your professional background is in education. For example, you could work:

Alternatively, your teaching experience has strengthened your communication and interpersonal skills. Perhaps you may like to participate in politics with your local party of choice. As a former teacher, you will have experience in all sectors of your local community through education. Teachers are community figures, meaning you will already have plenty of experience being known to many people, so standing as a political candidate should come naturally to you.

However, if you prefer working in the private sector after teaching for a non-governmental organization or private business, you can get all the tips and tricks.

Civil Service Jobs for Former Teachers

You may also feel you are not destined for a politically charged career and wish to remain more neutral while working with and for the public. The civil service in Canada provides support and advice to the government at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels, delivering policies and public services.

The civil service consists of many different fields within various government organizations. Jobs for teachers outside of teaching could range from support managers to administration, occupational health, community support, administration, and education commissioners—the list is incredibly diverse.

Many careers outside of teaching within the civil service don't require any specific qualifications or training – and most offer on-the-job training and career progression. Different roles involve different skills and qualities in a person, so identify which jobs might suit you.

Check out the best online teaching jobs here!

Teaching English Abroad

Would you like to change your life completely? Nowadays, you can find great opportunities as a teacher abroad, whether a native English or French speaker. Perhaps the thing is not to stop working as a teacher but to change the job landscape and look for new opportunities and adventures. Plus, teaching abroad has many perks. Would you like to learn them?

Why go overseas?	Description
🤗 A local connection	If you decide to go to a country where you don't know the language, don't worry! You are not expected to be proficient. Plus, if you decide to enroll in a language teaching program, you will probably be assigned someone to help you navigate the local bureaucracy and familiarise yourself with the culture. You may even be offered language classes!
🌏 Learn a new culture	In most cases, when teaching abroad, you would not be restricted to stay on campus. In fact, you would be expected to mix and interact with your local community, try new food, learn new cultural codes, and get to know a new version of yourself.
🤝 Learn a new language	One of the advantages of traveling to another country to work as a teacher. What better way to learn a new language than by finding yourself in a new culture and integrating with its people? Teaching abroad will not only give you new job opportunities, but also new language skills.
🌿A more relaxed pace	Venturing to teach abroad can be an excellent decision if you want to get out of stressful routines and create new experiences outside the country. Working as a teacher abroad will not only allow you to access new job opportunities, but also to get to know a new version of yourself in a new environment, with new people, and with a more relaxed vibe. Teaching abroad is one of the ideal jobs for retired teachers!

Though teaching abroad tends to be considered an option reserved for recent graduates, it is also available for those leaving teaching jobs. To be better prepared, start teaching English as a second language to non-native English speakers.

Want to give private lessons?

Join the Superprof community and share your knowledge with inquiring and motivated students.

Create an ad

Education Jobs for Teachers Outside of Teaching

Do you like working with young people and in schools? Do you like advising students and helping them develop? Do you like leadership positions and managing a team of people? Schools and universities have special departments specifically focused on student well-being and development. If you would still like to remain in this type of work environment, why not swap the classroom for work in student support? You will likely still receive all the same benefits, but your tasks and activities will be refocused.

Within the field of student support, there are careers in counseling to consider. Are you a good listener? Do you have a problem-solving mindset? You could be the right person to help students by creating a caring, supportive environment to work through their academic, personal, and social matters.

Or maybe you're interested in the prospect of development and recruitment in teaching – teaching teachers themselves! If your talents lie in directing, leading, and innovation, you might find that you're destined to work in a behind-the-scenes role that facilitates improvements in education systems. For example, you can apply your teaching knowledge and get involved in the Department for Education itself.

Education Jobs Outside of Teaching

Becoming a Substitute Teacher

Do you love teaching in the classroom but dislike the demands of being employed as a full-time teacher? Switching from teaching to becoming a substitute teacher can be challenging, but many people find it relieving.

You can continue to use your teaching certification and credentials while maintaining a suitable work-life balance. Being a substitute teacher can provide a comfortable income and give teachers a sense of freedom by allowing them to work fewer hours and detach from the demands and politics of the school environment.

An education degree can go a long way, and teaching offers many important and sought-after skills transferable to many different career paths. Review your career options and professional profile and see how your credentials can be applied to other roles.

Becoming a Private Tutor in Canada

If it is teaching that you enjoy most, but you no longer wish to work in a classroom or directly for public education, then you might feel more comfortable moving over to the private sector with a job as a home tutor. As someone with concrete teaching experience, your knowledge and skills are invaluable to students who want to aim higher in their education. Plus, you can make a decent salary while sharing your knowledge.

Starting a tutoring job after a teaching career is a popular move for many retired teachers who dislike the pressure associated with teaching and choose to tutor because of the flexibility and the ability to hone the unique skills of individual students. Starting as a private tutor can be daunting, but confidence is key!

Being clear about your skills, specialty, and hourly rates will make you an attractive candidate for students everywhere. So, if you're an English teacher, Chemistry teacher, or Math teacher, something will always make your profile stand out. Are you ready to start? If you want to become a private tutor in Canada, discover Superprof, where you can find the students you seek with just a click.

Learn more about online teaching jobs here.

Wrap up!

This list of alternative careers is not exhaustive: many options are available to former teachers, whether you are leaving a teaching job or searching for new opportunities. Different roles in teaching jobs in other sectors are accessible to people with teaching qualifications and strong interests looking to get out of their comfort zone. Focus on your core strengths: your creativity, flexibility, leadership, and team management. And explore what would suit you and a universe of exciting opportunities!