I've noticed a few people on here teach MS and/or HS online. In fact, I think I recall somebody mentioning they teach students in Asia online from the comfort of their own home. I have a few questions for you in regards to that. 1. Do you get any benefits (ie: medical or retirement) from teaching online as opposed to being in a classroom? 2. Would I be able to clear my credential or do BTSA that way? 3. If I was teaching children overseas--would I need to know the language? Any advice you could give me would be amazingly helpful.
As per my knowledge, the organisations that offer internet based education consider their teachers employees. With not only the salary based on their working hour, they offer certain employee benefits such as stock purchase programs, stock option awards and 401k savings plans, providing tax deferred savings opportunities that would not otherwise be available. There are some other associated benefits being offered by the financial institution which include special employee purchase programs for personal computers and wireless communications plans.
It all depends on the type of online program you get involved in. Some online schools are actually public education options so these would come with very similar benefits and salary to other public school teachers and would allow you to clear your credential. Some online schools are charter schools or alternative schools and these would be different in terms of benefits, pay, and clearing your credential. You would definitely have to do a bit of research on the particular school and read your contract thoroughly.
Online Teaching Online education is a vast field where you can join an online school, freelance or join a tutoring company. Depending on whom you want to teach from which country you may or may not have to make your choices. I for example teach Physics online using the virtual classroom of WizIQ . My students are in many countries but they talk and understand English.
Hi hbcaligirl, Here is my input... 1. Do you get any benefits (ie: medical or retirement) from teaching online as opposed to being in a classroom? This depends on the position. I've seen positions offer benefits, however most online teaching positions I've seen are "part-time" and therefore don't usually offer benefits. You can check out for yourself and see if you can find online teaching jobs that do offer benefits. We have hundreds listed at our Obeekaybee website. (NOTE: Free sign-up required) 2. Would I be able to clear my credential or do BTSA that way? Unfortunately, I can't offer any advice for you here. 3. If I was teaching children overseas--would I need to know the language? I've actually taught overseas, and English is such a common language that it seems common for English-only opportunities to be available. This changes when you enter post-secondary opportunities, however there it may be slightly more leaning towards an expectation that the teacher speaks the local, native language. Let me know if you have any questions about online teaching opportunities. That's what we're all about! -Michael admin@obeekaybee.com
I am so happy I stumbled upon this. After obtaining my secondary teaching certificate almost 20 years ago I entered a different career. Even back then finding a teaching position was a challenge unless you had certain high-demand certifications and I couldn't afford to live on subbing. I have always felt drawn to return to teaching, but could not bring myself to give up my other career, which is very flexible and relatively well-paying (but also directly involving my teaching subject area). I have fulfilled the "urge to teach" on occasion by teaching a few enrichment classes on the side and volunteering with scouts. So now that my youngest is entering Kindergarten I am interested in becoming an online teacher, but I don't know if any institution would hire me or if it would be flexible enough for me so I could continue to work a few days a month traveling for my existing career. So I have some questions: 1. What days/hours are you normally required to be accessible? What if it's listed as a part-time position? 2. What kind of technology applications and multimedia skills are expected beyond basic computer skills? 3. What is the pay range, generally speaking? 4. Due to my lack of experience/ancient certification I am considering, on my own, to become "virtual instructor certified" by spending a few hundred dollars on the courses from a professional development provider. Would it be worth it, or should I spend my spare time and energy on subbing instead to improve my chances? Thanks so much to the virtual teachers out there willing to chime in. It would be a dream come true for me if I could finally teach professionally in some way.
Where can one look for openings to teach online? Is it possible to supplement ones income teaching part time online while actually holding a full time job teaching locally?
Quick answers: I found my position on the state Department of Education Job Bank. You can also check each school's websites for openings. Franchises like K12 and Connections Academy have national job searches. In many cases, you cannot teach full time elsewhere and teach online part time unless the online portion is after school tutoring. I get full benefits, including health, vision, and dental. There is some traveling involved for training. That in-person travel is mandatory unless you have a medical excuse, so working moms will need to arrange child care a few times a year. The pay is usually lower than a traditional school but higher than a lot of charters. The expenses are lower because wardrobe and transportation are not an issue, not to mention classroom supplies (I have a list of items my school will purchase and ship to my house). My teaching day starts a little later than traditional schools (I'm currently about 8-4 with a built-in lunch), but I'm expected to be available to students during those hours. Since my school computer and phone are in my home, I usually tend to student needs well outside of those hours. There are opportunities for students to meet in person and meet some of their teachers. I'm chaperoning a couple of events next month, including a science museum and a zoo field trip. I love how I teach. These are students who, for one reason or another, cannot manage in a traditional setting.
In my district we have several virtual schools and programs. The teachers who work at those schools are regular teachers with the same benefits that I have. The only difference is that their classroom is in an online setting rather than the physical setting that I have. I know a handful of teachers who teach at online schools in other (sometimes multiple) states. Most of them are paid a flat rate per student, no benefits. All those teachers are regular, full-time teachers in a traditional setting and treat their online stuff as a part-time job.
I've never actually done it yet, but this past summer, I had submitted an application to a company & talked with the hiring lady to possibly do it. You need a webcam of course (as I assume with most online schools). This company was teaching Asian kids. The only little con was that due to the time difference, I would have had to teach I think very late at night. I didn't have to end up doing it, but I'd certainly be willing to try it! Good luck with it if you get into it!
I have looked into Connections Academy here in Georgia. It is a cross between homeschool and public school. It is paid for from public dollars, but the students remain home and have an online teacher K-12. It seems like teachers do not teach from home, but from the offices of the company. Does anybody know if teachers are still accountable for these students standardized testing scores? Seems like the teachers are acting as a support for homeschooled children.
Right now this is STILL the best solution for me. This summer has been a nightmare. Grandpa almost died and has been in the hospital three times. Just after I was getting over my car accident too. Now we have come to find out he needs open heart surgery. So ohhh ya, teaching online is still best case scenario. It would be even better if I can do BTSA. I dunno how that is possible in an online setting though.
My goodness, I'm sorry you had a rough summer! I'm trying to get started on this work at home thing I found out about this summer & if it all works out, I'll let you know about it!
