Jobs for Retired School Administrators
- Substitute Teaching
- Curriculum Development
- Grant Writing and Advocacy
- International and Independent Schools
- Nonprofit and Charity Work
Being a school administrator is challenging yet rewarding. Many school administrators find themselves wanting to return to the educational workforce following retirement, but they often struggle to decide in exactly which capacity. Here are five great jobs that retired school administrators can fit easily and enjoyably into their new phase of life.
Substitute Teaching
Many school administrators start to miss being in the classroom. They miss interacting with a wider body of students and diving into their favorite subject matter. Few are able or willing to return to a full-time role, so substitute teaching can provide the best of both worlds. Having built relationships with schools and often entire districts, retired administrators enjoy the freedom to cherry pick the classes they most want to substitute teach and the days they work.
Curriculum Development
Other school administrators wish to continue their path of involvement further behind the scenes. These individuals will greatly enjoy entering the realm of curriculum development. This kind of work can be completed both part-time and remotely, making it ideal for retirees. In turn, retired school administrators are ideal candidates for this role, because they have both breadth and depth of experience within the field of education.
Grant Writing and Advocacy
School administrators reach this high career level because they care deeply about students and the educational system. They are often interested in educational grant writing and advocacy, but lack the time to get as involved as they want when working full time. Retirement is a great time to become more involved in this aspect of the field. To get started, the United States Department of Education offers a wealth of information on the current state of educational laws and guidance.
International and Independent Schools
Sometimes people retire only to find out that what they really needed was a shift rather than an ending. For those who worked in the public American education system their entire careers, a transition to international or independent schools can be refreshing. These schools are often looking for a refreshing perspective in return, making retired public American school administrators ideal new staff members. One has the options of remaining in administration, returning to teaching, or pursuing something new entirely.
Nonprofit and Charity Work
Nonprofit and charity work is another area to which full time educators often wish they could devote more time. Retirement presents the perfect opportunity to get involved in the organizations one supports the most. Level of involvement and type of role in educational nonprofit and charity organization ranges, making it easy to fit into any retirement plan. To gain inspiration, Forbes offers a look at one Chicago-based educational charity.
Related Resource: Top 20 Master’s in Educational Administration Online
These five jobs are perfect for the growing numbers of retired school administrators who decide to come out of retirement. Each of these jobs offers the ability to tailor a new or different work experience to one’s unique retirement plans. Retirement is the ultimate opportunity to pursue passions that one previously had no time for. It is never too late to take a next step on the educational career journey!
