Some educators enjoy taking the summer off. But what if you’d rather keep busy, or earn some extra income?  Perhaps you should consider one of these great summer jobs for teachers.

Start with your own school. Will your school—or a nearby school district—be holding classes over the summer? If so, perhaps teaching summer school may be a good option. Summer school classes tend to be smaller, so the interaction with students can be more rewarding. Also, the relaxed atmosphere in summer school tends to build more camaraderie among the staff.

If you’d rather have a change of scenery—and expand your teaching skills—you may prefer to teach at a community college or local community education program. Community colleges and continuing education programs can be a great source of summer jobs for teachers because their curriculum tends to change every year. They also have more flexibility in trying and adding new courses. If you have an idea for a course, suggest it!

Becoming a tutor can also be a great source of income—and a perfect teaching job over the summer. You can find opportunities be either registering with one of the many services that offer tutoring, or even by advertising your services throughout your community.

Of course, you may prefer to take a break from an academic environment. If you’d rather spend your summer outside of a traditional classroom setting, here are a few ideas that may get you there.

Most communities have some seasonal employment opportunities that can make perfect summer jobs for teachers.

If you like being outdoors and getting a tan, perhaps you’d enjoy working as a lifeguard at a local beach or pool. Many aquatics facilities are busier in the summer and add seasonal staff each year. If you’re a strong swimmer, it’s not too difficult to get certified as a lifeguard. Your local Red Cross can provide information on classes and certification programs in your area.

Or maybe you’d rather get away from it all, and be a camp counselor over the summer? Camp staff positions make great summer jobs for teachers because they draw on educators’ professional skills and experience, but in a less structured setting. Summer camp opportunities range widely, so there’s sure to be one available that matches your interests.

If you’re active in your faith, you could also look into leading a Vacation Bible School, Torah Summer School, or other faith-based summer program for kids. You can start by inquiring at your church. If no such programs are available in your area, you may even be able to start one of your own.

Do you have a green thumb? Maybe you’d enjoy working as a gardener or landscaper. Landscaping companies and nurseries are an ideal source of summer jobs for teachers, because they tend to be busiest during the summer, and often hire extra seasonal help.

If you’re outdoorsy and love nature, perhaps you could work as a park ranger for a municipal or state park. Many state parks hire extra park rangers during the summer, when the hours are longer and the campsites are busier. For many such jobs, the only requirement is that you pass a civil servant test. Once you’re hired, training and uniforms are usually provided.

These are just a few ideas for seasonal jobs for teachers. With a little creative thinking, you can find an interesting and rewarding opportunity that matches your interests. But how exactly do you find such an opportunity?

There are dozens of great summer jobs for teachers. But how do you go about finding opportunities in your area that match your interests and your needs? These tips can help.

Know what you want. It seems obvious, but if you don’t know what kind of job you want, you’re not going to find it. Make a list of the top five seasonal jobs you’d want to find, and jot down some notes about opportunities that may be available in your area. And don’t limit yourself to jobs for teachers; list any seasonal jobs that sound appealing to you.

Give yourself time. Start looking for seasonal work well ahead of time. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself at least four months. Although it may seem a little strange to use your Christmas break to look for a summer job, many employers start planning their summer staffing as early as January or February.

Cast a wide net. Many summer jobs for teachers aren’t necessarily advertised, so you’ll need a bit of detective work to find them. Although you may find some suitable listings in your local paper, you should also consult sites like monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and even craigslist. The more sources you use to look for seasonal work, the more likely you are to find an appealing summer job.

Use your network. Tell your friends, family and colleagues that you’re looking for a summer job—and be specific about the type of job you want. You may also consider joining a professional networking site such as LinkedIn.com and announcing that you’re seeking summer jobs for teachers.

Be proactive. If there’s an organization with which you’d especially like to work, pursue it—regardless of whether there’s actually a job opening or not. Introduce yourself and request an informational interview. You never know where it might lead.

We hope these tips and ideas no great summer jobs for teachers help you find a few interesting, rewarding opportunities in your community. Have a great summer!