So, you're a homeschool teacher, or you're thinking about becoming one. That's awesome! Homeschooling is a rewarding way to make a difference in a child's life. But you might be wondering:
How do you actually get paid for homeschooling?
It can be confusing, especially since homeschooling can look very different from family to family. Some families follow a structured curriculum, while others are more relaxed and child-led in their approach. Some families homeschool full-time, while others combine homeschooling with other educational options, like co-ops or online classes.
This blog post is here to help you understand how homeschooling teachers get paid. We'll explore the different ways you can earn money for your teaching services, and we'll discuss the things that can affect your pay.
Before diving into pay details, it’s important to understand who homeschool teachers are and what they do.
Who Are Homeschool Teachers?
When you think of a homeschool teacher, you might picture a parent teaching their child at the kitchen table. And you'd be right! That's the most common type of homeschool teacher. But there are other kinds of homeschool teachers too.
1. Parents as Teachers
In many homeschooling families, parents take on the role of teacher. They plan the lessons, teach the subjects, and guide their child's learning. They might not get paid a salary like teachers in a traditional school. However, they receive the incredible reward of being deeply involved in their child's education.
2. Hired Tutors and Educators
Some homeschooling families hire tutors or professional educators to help with their child's education. This might be for a specific subject that the parent doesn't feel comfortable teaching, like advanced math or a foreign language.
It might be to provide extra support for a child who is struggling in a certain area or has special learning needs.
3. Co-op Teachers
Homeschool co-ops are groups of families who get together to share teaching responsibilities and create a more social learning environment for their children. In a co-op, parents might take turns teaching different subjects, or they might hire teachers to lead classes or workshops.
These teachers might be paid for their services, depending on the co-op's structure and budget.
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The School House Anywhere (TSHA) knows that homeschool teachers are incredibly important! We're passionate about supporting homeschool teachers and providing them with the resources and community they need to thrive.
Here's how TSHA values and supports homeschool teachers:
Ongoing Training and Support: We help you become an even better teacher! We offer training and support to help you learn new things and stay up-to-date on the best ways to teach.
This might include things like workshops, online courses, mentoring programs, or opportunities to observe other experienced teachers.
Supportive Community: We have a vibrant community of homeschooling families and educators who are passionate about helping children learn and grow. You can connect with other teachers, share ideas, ask questions, and find support and encouragement.
It's like having a whole team of people cheering you on and helping you succeed!
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Now that you know who they are, let’s look at the factors that affect how much homeschool teachers can earn.
Factors That Influence Homeschool Teacher Pay
If you're thinking about becoming a homeschool teacher, you might be wondering how much you can expect to earn. Just like any other job, there are different things that can affect your pay.
Here are a few of the most important factors:
1. Experience and Qualifications
What You Know and What You've Done: The more experience you have as a teacher and the more education and training you have, the more you can likely charge for your services. This makes sense, right?
If you were hiring someone to fix your car, you'd probably be willing to pay more for a mechanic with many years of experience and lots of certifications.
The same goes for teaching. If you have a teaching degree, special certifications, or a lot of experience working with children, you'll likely be able to charge more for your services.
Want to learn more about becoming a homeschool teacher and what qualifications you might need? Check out our comprehensive guide on becoming a private homeschool teacher!
2. Subject Matter Expertise
Specialized Knowledge: If you're an expert in a particular subject, like math or science, you might be able to charge more for your services. This is because families are often willing to pay more for tutors who can help their children with challenging subjects.
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If you have a degree in a specific subject or have a lot of experience teaching it, you might be able to find families who are willing to pay a premium for your expertise.
3. Location
Where You Live: Where you live can also affect how much you can earn as a homeschool teacher. In some areas, the cost of living is higher, so you might need to charge more to make ends meet.
For example, if you live in a big city like New York or San Francisco, your expenses will be higher than if you live in a smaller town. Also, in some areas, there might be a higher demand for homeschool teachers, which can also drive up pay rates.
If there are a lot of homeschooling families in your area, you might be able to charge more because there's more competition for your services.
4. Type of Instruction
How You Teach: The type of instruction you provide can also affect your pay. If you're teaching one-on-one, you might be able to charge more per hour than if you're teaching a small group class.
This is because you're providing more individualized attention to each student in a one-on-one setting. Online tutoring often pays less than in-person tutoring because there are no travel costs involved.
However, online tutoring can also be more convenient for both you and your students, so it might be a good option if you're looking for flexibility.
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5. Time Commitment
How Much You Work: The number of hours or days per week that you work can also affect your pay. If you're working full-time as a homeschool teacher, you'll likely earn more than if you're only working a few hours a week.
This is because you're dedicating more time and energy to your teaching, and you're providing more value to the families you work with.
With those factors in mind, it’s time to explore how much you can typically get paid by becoming a homeschool teacher.
How Much Do Homeschool Teachers Make?
So, how much can you actually make as a homeschool teacher? Well, it depends! Just like with other jobs, homeschool teacher pay can vary quite a bit. Here are a few examples:
1. Part-Time Tutors
Hourly Rates: If you work as a part-time tutor, you might charge by the hour. This means you get paid for each hour that you work with a student. The amount you can charge per hour can vary depending on your experience and the subject you're teaching.
If you're just starting out and teaching a subject like elementary reading, you might charge around $20-$60 per hour. But if you have a lot of experience and you're teaching a more specialized subject like high school physics, you might be able to charge $50-$75 per hour, or even more!
2. Full-Time Teachers
Annual Salary: If you work full-time as a homeschool teacher for a family, you might earn a salary. This means you'll get a regular paycheck, just like you would at a traditional school.
The amount you earn will depend on things like your experience, your education, and the number of hours you work each week. You might earn anywhere from $35,000 to $70,000 per year, or even more, depending on these factors.
It's important to do your research and talk to other homeschooling families and teachers in your area to get a better sense of what you can expect to earn. You can also check websites and online forums for homeschool teachers to learn more about pay rates and how to set your fees.
Finally, let’s go over some practical ways you can earn an income as a homeschool teacher.
Ways Homeschool Teachers Can Get Paid
If you're a homeschool teacher, there are a few different ways you can get paid for your services. Here are some of the most common ways homeschool teachers earn money:
1. Directly from Families
Working One-on-One: Many homeschooling families hire tutors or teachers to work with their children individually. This might involve teaching a specific subject, like math or reading, or providing more general educational support. In this case, the family will pay you directly for your services.
You might set an hourly rate, which means you get paid for each hour that you work with the student. Or, you might agree on a set fee for a certain number of lessons or a specific period of time, like a semester or a year.
2. Homeschool Co-ops
Teaching a Group: Homeschool co-ops are groups of families who come together to share teaching responsibilities and resources. This can be a great way for homeschooling families to connect with each other and provide their children with a more social learning environment.
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Anywhere community on Facebook and Instagram to share ideas, find support, and learn about new resources!
Sometimes, co-ops will hire teachers to lead classes or workshops for their students. In this case, the co-op will usually pay you for your services, either through an hourly rate or a set fee per class.
3. Charter Schools
School Support: Some charter schools offer homeschooling programs. This means that they provide some support and oversight to homeschooling families, while still allowing them the flexibility to learn at home.
These charter schools might provide funding or a stipend to homeschool teachers who work with their students.
This can be a great way to get financial support for your homeschooling teaching. You can also get access to resources and a community of other homeschooling families.
4. Online Platforms
Teaching Online: There are now many online platforms that connect homeschool teachers with students all over the world. This can be a great way to reach a wider audience. You can offer your teaching services to families who might not have access to qualified teachers in their local area.
You can create a profile on these platforms, highlighting your skills and experience, and set your own rates. When you teach online, you'll usually get paid through the platform, either per hour or per lesson.
As you can see, there are many different ways to earn money as a homeschool teacher! The best option for you will depend on your preferences, your skills and experience, and the needs of the families you work with.
Wrapping Up
Homeschool teaching can be a rewarding career path, both personally and financially. Whether you're a parent teaching your own children, a tutor working with families, or a teacher in a homeschool co-op, there are many opportunities to earn an income. At the same time, you can make a difference in the lives of young learners.
Remember that homeschool teacher pay can vary depending on factors like your experience, your location, and the type of teaching you do. It's important to do your research, understand your options, and find the homeschool teaching arrangement that works best for you.
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The School House Anywhere (TSHA) offers a unique and engaging approach to education with its American Emergent Curriculum (AEC). It's designed to spark curiosity, develop creativity, and help you create a classroom where children develop a lifelong love of learning.
Here's how the AEC supports your teaching:
Integrated Learning: The AEC combines all the important subjects — math, reading, writing, science, history, art, music, and more — into one exciting learning experience. This helps children see how everything connects and makes learning more meaningful.
Project-Based Learning: The AEC includes lots of hands-on projects that make learning fun and engaging. Children might start a business, create a science fair project, or even put on a concert!
Three-Year Cycle: The AEC follows a three-year cycle that matches how children naturally grow and learn. Each year focuses on different topics and skills, building on what they've learned before.
Variety of Teaching Methods: The AEC uses a variety of teaching methods that have been proven to be effective, like hands-on activities, group projects, and real-world examples.
Assessment in the AEC
Different Ways to Assess: The AEC provides a variety of assessment tools and strategies to help you track your students' progress and understand their needs.
Student-Created Quizzes: The AEC even encourages students to create their own quizzes to test their classmates, which helps them deepen their understanding of the material.
Focus on Creativity: The AEC emphasizes creativity and encourages students to express their learning through projects, presentations, and other creative activities.
Teaching Methods in the AEC
The Best of the Best: The AEC draws inspiration from some of the most effective educational approaches, like Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and the Socratic Method.
Work of Choice: The AEC gives children choices in how they want to learn, allowing them to work independently, with a partner, or in a small group.
Ongoing Support: TSHA provides ongoing support to teachers, including a community of other educators and access to experienced mentors who can answer your questions and offer guidance.
Ready to experience the magic of the AEC in your classroom?