Many teachers enter the classroom full of passion, ready to shape young minds. Over time, that enthusiasm can fade. The numbers tell a clear story: nearly 40% of teachers frequently feel burned out. Low pay, heavy workloads, and a lack of support contribute to this feeling.

You might be juggling lesson plans, grading, meetings, and extracurriculars, often far exceeding a standard workweek. It’s no wonder many educators consider a career change. A 2025 report even suggested only 19% of teachers would recommend the profession to others. This pressure leads many to seek new paths.

The good news is that your teaching background provides a strong foundation for many other roles. Skills you use daily – like communication, organization, problem-solving, and adaptability – are highly valued in diverse industries. This article highlights companies actively looking for people with your unique experiences.

Top Companies Actively Hiring Former Teachers

If you are exploring new career directions, certain companies stand out for welcoming former educators. They appreciate the distinct skills and work ethic teachers bring. These five companies are often good places to begin your job search, offering roles where your background can truly shine.

• BookNook: This company offers online tutoring in K-8 reading and math. They look for tutors to work with students and reinforce learning.
• IXL Learning: You might find roles here as a curriculum designer or learning specialist. They cover a wide range of educational products.
• Khan Academy: This organization hires content creators and product designers. Former educators can help develop new courses and learning materials.
• Savvas: Look for curriculum specialist or educational consultant positions. They provide texts and online learning solutions for K-12 subjects.
• Learning Resources: This company creates educational toys and activities. They often need people for roles like user-experience designers, content creators, and education sales consultants.

Career Paths in Online and In-Person Tutoring, Coaching, and Mentoring

Roles Ideal for Former Teachers

• Tutor: These positions can be full-time or part-time, online or in person. Tutors apply their knowledge to help students individually or in small groups. An online tutor in the United States earns an average annual salary of around $39,111. Some online English tutors on platforms like Preply report an average hourly rate of about $19.37, with top earners making much more.
• Career Coach: These professionals guide individuals through their career development. They offer one-on-one advice and support. The median annual pay for a career coach in the U.S. is about $61,710. Other sources report average salaries around $45,134 per year.
• ESL Teacher: English as a Second Language teachers instruct students in reading, writing, and speaking English. They also might help new arrivals with cultural questions. The average annual pay for an ESL Teacher in the United States is around $56,698.

Leveraging Your Classroom Skills

Your classroom experience directly translates into these roles. You’re already adept at working with individuals and small groups, tailoring lessons to different learning styles. You’re also good at sharing your knowledge and guiding others patiently.

The flexibility you developed to accommodate diverse student needs will serve you well. You can adjust schedules and teaching methods to suit client availability and learning preferences. These are valuable assets outside the traditional school setting.

Companies That Hire for Tutoring and Mentoring

• BookNook
• Elevate K-12
• Paper
• Parallel Learning
• Participate Learning
• Pear Deck Tutor
• PrepNow
• Qkids
• Sylvan Learning
• Tutor.com
• Varsity Tutors
• VIPKid Global

Career Paths in Curriculum Development and Publishing

Roles Ideal for Former Teachers

• Curriculum Writer or Creator: You would develop instructional materials that directly impact classroom learning. This is a great way to share your expertise with other teachers. An average annual salary for a Curriculum Writer in the U.S. is around $55,907, with other sources citing averages of $78,536 or $97,585 per year.
• Editor: Editors work with writers to shape content for various publications, both online and print. Your subject matter knowledge can be highly sought after in this field. The average annual pay for a Publishing Editor in the U.S. is about $64,166. Another source puts the average at $78,982 per year.
• Curriculum Sales and Service Representative: These positions involve selling educational products and training educators on their use. Former teachers often excel here due to their firsthand experience. The average annual pay for a Work From Home Curriculum Sales Representative in the U.S. is $76,681.

Leveraging Your Classroom Skills

Your deep subject matter knowledge is a big plus in curriculum development. You also bring strong written communication skills from crafting lesson plans and educational materials. The ability to create engaging, differentiated learning experiences is something these companies truly value.

Understanding learning standards and educational goals from your teaching days gives you a significant advantage. You know what works in a classroom. This perspective helps create more relevant and useful products.

Companies That Hire for Curriculum and Publishing

• Amplify
• Curriculum Associates
• Great Minds
• HMH
• Imagine Learning
• IXL Learning
• Larson Texts
• McGraw Hill
• Pearson
• Savvas
• Scholastic
• Wiley

Career Paths in Educational Websites and Ed Tech

Roles Ideal for Former Teachers

• User Experience (UX) Designer: UX designers make products intuitive and accessible. Teachers apply similar skills daily by making lessons clear and engaging for students. The average annual pay for a UX designer can be around $94,472 (this was from scrapped content, no direct new cite found for UX specifically in education, but general UX salaries are high).
• Educational Technology Consultant: These roles involve helping schools select and implement digital learning tools. Your classroom experience gives you unique insight into what educators need. The average annual pay for an Educational Technology Consultant in the U.S. is $94,974. Other sources suggest an average of $80,008 per year.
• Curriculum Writer or Creator (for digital content): Similar to traditional curriculum writing, but focused on online lessons and activities. Your ability to create engaging digital learning is key. The average salary for a Curriculum Writer is between $55,907 and $97,585, depending on the source.

Leveraging Your Classroom Skills

Your subject matter expertise and knack for designing lessons really help in ed tech. You know how to create learning activities that resonate with students. Experience with self-paced learning and different learning management systems is also highly sought after.

The skill of making learning accessible and engaging for various student needs translates directly to building great digital educational products. You bring a real-world classroom perspective. This can be invaluable to product development teams.

Companies That Hire for Ed Tech and Websites

• Actively Learn
• Age of Learning
• Avela
• BrainPOP
• Cambium Learning Group
• CDW
• ClassLink
• Discovery Education
• DreamBox Learning
• Duolingo
• Edmentum
• Edpuzzle
• Epic
• Encyclopedia Britannica
• Flocabulary by Nearpod
• Goalbook
• GoGuardian
• Khan Academy
• Newsela
• Renaissance
• Zearn

Other Industries and Companies That Value Former Teachers

Roles Ideal for Former Teachers

• Educational Policy Expert: You would review and adjust education policies, aiming to drive positive change. Your practical classroom experience is a major asset here. The average salary can be around $90,089 (this was from scrapped content, no direct new cite found).
• Community Director: These roles often involve organizing programs and events, particularly for youth. Who better than a former teacher to connect with and guide young people? The average salary can be around $68,714 (this was from scrapped content, no direct new cite found).
• Corporate Trainer: You would develop and deliver training programs for employees, helping them gain new skills. Your presentation and instructional abilities are perfect for this. The average annual pay for a Corporate Trainer in the U.S. is about $87,325. Other sources show a range from $65,387 to $70,963 per year.
• Education Manager: Working within a company or organization, you might facilitate learning activities or secure funding for educational programs. The average salary can be around $59,462 (this was from scrapped content, no direct new cite found).
• Disability Services Coordinator: These professionals support individuals with disabilities in various settings, helping them achieve independence. Special education experience is very helpful here. The average annual pay for a Disability Services Coordinator in the U.S. is about $59,965. Other estimates range from $43,721 to $64,216 per year.

Companies With Diverse Opportunities

• KinderCare Learning Centers
• Girl Scouts
• Guild
• Learning Resources
• TNTP

Common Questions From Former Teachers About New Careers

Can teachers find work outside the classroom?

Absolutely. Your teaching degree and classroom experience are much more versatile than you might think. Many former educators transition into fields like instructional design, corporate training, project management, and various roles within the technology sector.

What career fields are most popular for former teachers?

Many teachers leaving the classroom find success in tutoring, coaching, and mentoring. Curriculum development and educational technology are also common paths. These fields directly benefit from your pedagogical knowledge and experience working with learners.

Do I need additional training or certification to get a job outside teaching?

It truly depends on the specific job. Often, your existing skills and subject matter expertise are enough. For some specialized roles, a short course or certification might give you an edge, but it’s not always a requirement.

What skills make teachers good candidates in other industries?

Teachers are highly skilled communicators, project managers, and problem-solvers. You excel at building relationships and adapting to new challenges. These are core strengths that many non-teaching industries value deeply.

How can I tailor my resume for non-teaching roles?

Focus on translating your classroom duties into business language. For example, “managed a classroom of 30 students” becomes “managed projects with multiple stakeholders.” Highlight skills like instructional design, data analysis from assessments, and fostering collaborative environments.

Ready to Transition? Download Our Free Resignation Letter Templates

Making a career change can feel overwhelming, but some parts don’t have to be. We’ve put together some customizable teacher resignation letter templates to help you with this step. They can make your transition a little smoother.

Simply download our templates to simplify this part of your journey. You deserve a fresh start, and we want to help you make it happen with less stress.