Ashley, a Florida public school teacher, earns a modest $48,000 annually but has added $20,000 to her income through creative side hustles. With rising costs and stagnant teacher pay, her story shows how resourcefulness can bridge the financial gap.
Ashley, 32, teaches middle school science in Orlando. Her salary barely covers expenses in a state with no income tax but high living costs. To make ends meet, she started tutoring after school, charging $30 per hour for math and science sessions. Working 10 hours a week, tutoring brings in $12,000 a year. She markets her services through local parent groups and Nextdoor.
Her second hustle is selling lesson plans online. Ashley creates engaging science activities and posts them on Teachers Pay Teachers, earning $5,000 annually from downloads. “It’s passive income for work I’m already doing,” she says. She spends a few hours monthly updating her listings to stay competitive.
During summers, Ashley runs a science camp for kids, netting $3,000 over two months. She rents a community center space and promotes it via social media, tapping into parents’ demand for educational activities. Each hustle leverages her teaching skills, keeping burnout low.
“I love teaching, but the pay doesn’t match the effort,” Ashley says. Her side gigs provide financial breathing room and fund small luxuries, like weekend getaways. Her approach reflects a growing trend—40% of teachers nationwide have side hustles, per a 2024 NEA survey. For Ashley, these ventures aren’t just about money; they’re about reclaiming control in an underfunded profession.