Bring Back Your Happiness as a Teacher! How You Know It's Time To Start Your Teaching Business and Become an Educational Entrepreneur by Building Your Microschool
Posted on April 24, 2023 by Makenzie Oliver
Like many teachers, my passion for education, creative learning, and engaging lessons was absolutely on fire during the first decade of teaching. Like you, I was passionate about my subject matter and knew how to convey that enthusiasm to students. Slowly, but surely, after about 10 years of pouring my heart and soul into education, I began to feel a tug at my heart and pulled in a different direction.
As a teacher and instructional coach-turned homeschool mom and microschool builder-I’m thankful to say, I have found the bridge that has changed many of our lives as teachers- educational entrepreneurship. Although Educational Entrepreneurship involves many subsets of creations, products and services, I will be sharing the value of creating a microschool as your teaching business.
Let’s take a look into educational entrepreneurship, signs it’s time to start your teaching business, and how you can restore your hope and happiness in a newfound profession while also staying true to your God-given calling.
What is Educational Entrepreneurship?
Educational entrepreneurship refers to the creation of educational ventures with an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. As an educational entrepreneur, you can address educational needs and opportunities by creating products or services. Specifically, I have found that building a microschool was the exact bridge to my teacher dream of “creating our own school”. (You know those many conversations you have had with another teacher friend between classes, at lunch, or on the school playground… “If only we could build our own school….”
Educational entrepreneurship can take many forms, such as founding a new school or educational organization, creating a new curriculum or teaching method, or starting a training program for teachers. It requires a combination of education and business, as well as an understanding of the educational landscape and the needs of learners and educators.
Ultimately, the goal of educational entrepreneurship is to improve the quality of education and increase access to educational opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds. Just what our teacher heart ordered, right?
And before you get all huffy and puffy or feeling overwhelmed that this is just TOO big of a call on your life, let me ease your fears by saying, “you can make this as big or as small as you’d like. Its your idea. Your plan. Your business.” And as an educator who feels as if your love for teaching may be diminished in all the business building basics, listen in! Educational entrepreneurs use creative and interactive teaching techniques to make their lessons and learning environments fun and engaging, sparking their students' curiosity and igniting a love for learning.
Why am I feeling so unfulfilled in my teacher journey?
Teacher friend, on your journey to becoming a teacher, I know you were so full of inspiration, vision, and excitement as you began preparing your life as an educator, preparing your dream classroom, and all the while- subconsciously preparing your heart for all the lives you would impact. You have a genuine love for teaching and a desire to make a positive impact on students' lives. You’re not only an educator, but a role model, mentor, and lifelong learner. In this article, we will explore what makes teaching such a fulfilling and rewarding career for those who have a passion for it. Choosing to become a teacher is choosing a noble profession-one which requires passion, dedication, and commitment.
But what happens when your fulfilling and rewarding career slowly begins to break your heart, leaves you in a pit of frustration or makes you question why you ever even became a teacher?
What happens when your love for teaching once motivated by student success, becomes a heartbreaking cycle of feeling “helpless” when it comes to reaching the needs of your students? So many teachers take pride in seeing their students learn, grow, and achieve their goals. They understand that each student is unique, with their own strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. But as a teacher, you may find that your patience, empathy, and attentiveness have slowly begun diminishing due to the many forces that are beyond your control.
And while it’s important to note that not all teachers are unhappy, there are many factors that can contribute to a teacher's level of job satisfaction or dissatisfaction. However, some common reasons that teachers may be unhappy include:
1. Lack of support: Teachers may feel that they do not receive enough support from their administrators, colleagues, or parents. This can make it difficult to manage classroom behavior, meet academic standards, and address the needs of individual students.
2. Low pay: Many teachers feel that they are not paid enough for the work that they do, especially considering the long hours and high levels of stress involved in teaching.
3. Heavy workload: Teaching is a demanding job, and teachers often have to juggle many responsibilities at once, such as lesson planning, grading, communicating with parents, and attending meetings. This can lead to burnout and a feeling of being overwhelmed.
4. Student behavior: Some teachers may find it difficult to manage disruptive or unengaged students, which can make it challenging to create a positive learning environment.
5. Lack of autonomy: In some cases, teachers may feel that they do not have enough control over their own classrooms or curriculum. This can lead to a feeling of frustration or a sense that their professional judgment is not valued.
If you are feeling the pressure from standardized tests, too many students, a boxed in curriculum (or on e in which you don’t believe in), and want to have unlimited earning potential for your financial future, then educational entrepreneurship is a wonderful choice for restoring your hope, passion and inspiration for this career!
Becoming an edupreneur, or an entrepreneur in the education sector, can offer a variety of benefits and rewards. Some reasons to consider becoming an edupreneur may include:
The opportunity to make a positive impact: Edupreneurs have the ability to make a real difference in the lives of learners by creating innovative and effective educational products and services.
Flexibility and autonomy: Edupreneurs have the ability to design their own schedules and work on projects that align with their passions and interests.
Unlimited earning potential: As an edupreneur, there is no limit to the amount of money that can be earned. With the right product or service, an edupreneur can create a sustainable and profitable business.
Control over the direction of the business: As the owner of an educational business, an edupreneur has the ability to make decisions about the direction of the business and the products or services offered.
The ability to scale and grow the business: With the right business model, an edupreneur can grow the business to reach more learners and make an even greater impact in the education sector.
The opportunity to collaborate with other edupreneurs: Edupreneurs have the opportunity to collaborate and network with other like-minded individuals in the education sector, which can lead to new ideas and partnerships.
The chance to stay current and engaged with education trends: Edupreneurs must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in education, which can lead to ongoing learning and professional development.
Teachers who love teaching are also lifelong learners themselves. They are constantly seeking new ways to improve their teaching skills and keep up with the latest educational research and trends. They are open-minded and willing to experiment with new teaching methods and technologies to make their lessons more engaging and effective. They encourage their students to become independent and curious learners, providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
If you are ready to learn about educational entrepreneurship and launch your microschool or teaching business we are here to help!
Beginning a new teaching path can be overwhelming, but it’s far less intimidating if you have the right plan in place, and the right people by your side.
Teacher Friend, I will support you—from start to finish, as you transition out of your current teaching position, step into your God-given purpose, and build the school of your dreams!
No matter where you are on this journey, there’s a breakthrough opportunity awaiting you. Let’s see which coaching will fit your needs!
Worried about the perfect time to make the change? Scared to jump in and get started, but can't imagine continuing in your current position for another 5 or 10 years?
The time is now! Education is at a pivotal point. Teachers are in high demand for this type of schooling. You can be that teacher!