Once upon a time, teaching meant lesson plans, grading, and staying inside the system. Today, more educators are stepping outside the box.
A history teacher creating a digital course on decolonizing curriculum. A math instructor is publishing a study skills workbook. An ESL teacher building a global community online.
This is the era of the educatorpreneur—and it’s just getting started.
What Exactly Is an Educatorpreneur?
In short, it’s a teacher who builds something outside the classroom.
It might be:
– A digital course
– A content platform
– A tutoring or coaching business
– A YouTube channel or app
– A membership, workbook, or lesson plan subscription
It’s not about leaving teaching. It’s about expanding what teaching can mean.
“Educatorpreneurs are reshaping what it means to teach. They’re not waiting for permission—they’re innovating from the ground up.”
—Natalie Chan, Founder of Teachfinity
Why More Teachers Are Building Their Own Platforms
The reasons are real:
– Burnout
– Low salaries
– Rising cost of living
– A desire to make a bigger impact
– The need for creative freedom
A 2023 report from Teachable found a 41 percent increase in educators launching online courses or educational content as side ventures.
Take Mariah B., a science teacher in Detroit. She began posting quick experiments on TikTok in 2021. Now she runs a digital science lab with over 10,000 homeschooling subscribers.
From Side Hustle to Scalable Impact
Many educatorpreneurs start with passion. Then it grows.
Thanks to platforms like Kajabi, Thinkific, and Podia, launching a digital course has never been easier.
And the truth is, teachers are made for this:
– They know how to break down complex ideas.
– They understand engagement and motivation.
– They already design curricula every day.
According to Skillshare’s 2024 Creator Survey, educators are the fastest-growing group of course creators on the platform.
Can You Be Both a Teacher and a Founder?
Absolutely. But it takes strategy.
Educatorpreneurs often build in the margins—after school, during weekends, or on summer breaks. Many stay in the classroom and bring their new skills with them. Others eventually go full-time with their business.
“My side gig taught me how to explain things more clearly—it made me better in the classroom.” —Jorge Rivera, Social Studies Teacher and YouTube Creator
Tools like Canva, Notion, and Loom help teachers streamline their content. And protecting your intellectual property early on is a must—your ideas are valuable.
The Impact Goes Beyond Income
When teachers become entrepreneurs, students notice. They see:
– Creativity in action
– Lessons that reflect the real world
– Role models who take risks and build things
And the learning becomes more relevant, more dynamic, and more personal.
A 2023 study from EdTech Evidence Exchange showed that student engagement rose 25 percent when educators used independently created digital content in their classrooms.
This Is More Than a Side Gig—It’s a Movement
Educatorpreneurs aren’t just launching courses. They’re reshaping education from the inside out.
They’re showing that teaching doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It continues in communities, in content, and in businesses that inspire and support others.
If you’re an educator with a message, a method, or a mission, this path is for you.
You don’t need a classroom to teach. You just need a message worth sharing—and the courage to build something around it.
Read more articles relevant to entrepreneurship or personal development on our Zealousness blog.
References
- Teachable Creator Economy Report. 2023. https://teachable.com
- Skillshare Creator Trends Survey. 2024. https://skillshare.com
- Chan, N. 2024. Interview at EdFluence Summit.
- Rivera, J. 2023. YouTube Channel: Mr. Rivera Teaches.
- EdTech Evidence Exchange. “Digital Content and Student Engagement.” 2023. https://edtechevidence.org
- National Center for Education Statistics. “Teacher Salaries and Side Incomes.” 2023. https://nces.ed.gov
