This article was originally published in The Classroom Teacher Spring 2026 issue.
By late spring, most Texas teachers are running on fumes. You’re counting down the days, thinking about getting good sleep, maybe a trip, and some breathing room. There is also the unique opportunity to reset and get ahead in the summer financially, professionally, or mentally. The good news is there’s no one right way to do summer. The best plans are usually a mix of a few things that fit your life.
One of the most obvious summer opportunities is to make extra money. Working in education-related positions may be the easiest option for a lot of teachers.
Many of our members teach summer school. You already know the system, the curriculum is familiar, and you don’t have to learn a whole new job. Teachers often say they like summer school because of the change of pace: smaller groups, less pressure and more targeted teaching (and actually seeing growth in a few weeks). If you’re the type who likes structure, this is probably your smoothest transition out of the school year.
If you haven’t tried tutoring yet, this is where a lot of teachers are quietly making good money. Real examples from Texas teachers:
Tutoring can be flexible. You can work mornings only, stack sessions a few days a week, or continue into the school year if you want. It’s one of the few options where you control your time and your rate.
But don’t overlook the “fun” jobs. They can provide extra income along with other benefits. Teachers are getting creative.
From real educator experiences, here are some less traditional ideas:
These aren’t generally long-term career moves, but they can be refreshing, social and a mental break from the classroom. Sometimes that’s just as valuable. And
many businesses love hiring teachers, who tend to be organized and responsible.
Often overlooked is the advantage of taking a summer job that pays into Social Security. You may be able to earn quarters (credits) toward eligibility and increase your future benefit amount.
This can matter more than people realize, especially for Texas educators who may not consistently pay into Social Security during the school year (depending on their district). Only about 2% of Texas school districts participate in Social Security, leaving employees of other districts only personal savings and TRS pensions as their primary retirement income. Even a part-time or short-term summer job can help you get closer to the 40 credits needed and boost your long-term retirement picture. It’s not the only reason to work, but it’s a smart added benefit.
Summer is also an opportunity for professional growth. Let’s be honest, no one wants to spend their whole summer in training. But some opportunities are worth it, especially if they pay a stipend, get you out of the classroom environment, and give you something useful to bring back. You may want to look for internships with local businesses or industries, Regional Education Service Center programs, or other workforce-related experiences (especially CTE-aligned). Teachers who do these often say the biggest benefit is perspective. You get a clearer picture of what skills students actually need after graduation.
In pursuing CPE hours, make sure they’re useful (and free when possible). You already know classroom teachers must complete 150 CPE hours over a five-year renewal period, but how you get them matters. Many hours, especially those related to specific required topics, are fulfilled through district-provided professional development or specialized workshops at regional education service centers. And while some of your hours must tick certain boxes, you also have flexibility in choosing topics to meet the 150 total hours.
Think about what would make your job easier next year and what you wish you were better at in your classroom. There are plenty of options out there, but it’s worth noting that TCTA offers free and convenient CPE opportunities, providing access to over 70 hours of approved CPE video training, and we add new and updated sessions throughout the year.
Don’t forget that you still need breathing space. It’s easy to feel like you need to “optimize” every second of summer. You don’t. The teachers who come back strongest in the fall usually aren’t the ones who worked nonstop. They’re the ones who took real breaks, stepped away mentally, did something completely unrelated to school.
Even a slower morning routine or a few unscheduled days a week can make a big difference.
If you are looking into vacations or other adventures you will want to check out some of TCTA’s membership perks at tcta.org/discounts that include savings on hotels, cruises, flights, theme parks, sports, zoos, museums, concerts and more.
Simply put, summer doesn’t have to be all one thing. Consider a balanced approach that addresses all of your needs — not just the need to bring in more income or address professional responsibilities, but the need to take time for yourself. Ultimately, that benefits everyone.
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