Edupreneurs Share Their Side-Career Tips

The Edupreneur’s Side Hustle Handbook: 10 Successful Educators Share Their Top Tips
Edited by Lisa Dunnigan and Tosha Wright
(Routledge/Eye On Education, 2020 – Learn more)

Reviewed by Laura Von Staden

If you are part of the 80% of teachers with a second job, or if you are a teacher with a passion or talent that extends beyond the classroom (which by the way is all teachers), then this book is for you.

This is a very handy, easy-to-use resource written by teachers who have followed their passions and walked the challenging path to various side gigs with success. It’s for teachers looking to do the same.

There are 10 stories of different side careers – from making clothing, to creating content for Teachers Pay Teachers, becoming a content designer, creating professional development, or writing that book – that are likely to fit the passions of many teachers.

Each chapter is complete with all the information and details on how to navigate your course to any of these, or any other education related side businesses. What to expect and how to navigate issues such as social media, branding, copyright, naming, balance, and commitment are all addressed with honesty concerning the ups and downs of being an edupreneur (an educational entrepreneur).

The chapter on social media includes tips on how to create quality posts others will want to follow, like hitting on the pain points, what colors to use, how often and when to publish different types of posts on the different social media sites.

Your step-by-step guide

Dunnigan and Wright clearly and concisely outline the steps to take, obstacles to avoid and things to think of that you probably would not have if the authors had not pointed them out. Each chapter has pause and reflect boxes that ask pertinent questions for the reader to consider at each of the phases of becoming an edupreneur.

While discussing the challenges and sacrifices that all entrepreneurs face, the authors also provide encouragement about finding balance and following your passion to do what you were meant to do – not some day after you retire but now.

These ideas are addressed in most all the chapters, but there is also a chapter specifically on the “Millionaire Teacher’s Mindset” which focuses on changing your thinking in a way that will allow you to keep first things first (not dropping the most important balls in our lives while juggling everything) and make money too (even a million dollars).

Looking to your present and future

If you have ever thought about pursuing a passion, and possibly making it profitable, this book is for you. If you have never thought about starting a side business to pursue additional talents or a passion, you may change your mind once you read this book.

Even if you’re certain you will ever want to go down this path, you should still read The Edupreneur’s Side Hustle Handbook because the students that we teach today need to have entrepreneurial skills, and who better than you to teach it to them.

This is an excellent book and a definite worthwhile read for all teachers.

Dr. Laura Von Staden is currently a Middle School Gifted Science teacher in Tampa, Florida. She serves on numerous committees in her school district, works closely with the local university, and writes curriculum. She is also a professional development consultant and previously served as an Exceptional Student Education Specialist and as a mentor.