Online Teaching: How to Land Remote Jobs for Teachers

Q: Is a specific degree required to become an online teacher?

A bachelor’s degree is typically the first step , but it doesn’t necessarily have to be in education. Many teachers use a degree in a subject they’re passionate about, like history or science, as their foundation.

By Kimberli Lowe-MacAuley

Technology continues to bring us more options in how we go about our everyday lives. Today, digital learning has added a new dimension to the education landscape through online teaching. Educators are needed to fill the growing demand for flexible learning environments that meet students where they will thrive.

As an educator, the ability to adapt and grow has never been more crucial or more exciting. Whether you’re a veteran teacher considering a transition to remote work or a future educator considering your options, online teacher jobs could be the perfect career fit.

Read on for details on how and where you might land an online teaching job.

What Is an Online Teacher Job?

Online teaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all role. Depending on the level of instruction and the platform used to teach, online teaching jobs can entail a wide range of responsibilities and duties.

Online teachers offer classes at every level, from elementary to postgraduate studies. Common duties may include:

Communicating with guardians of minor students
Conducting live classes (synchronous learning)
Grading and providing feedback
Providing recorded lessons (asynchronous learning)
Supplying homework
Utilizing a mix of both synchronous/asynchronous learning in a hybrid model
Writing and planning lessons

For instance, an online science teacher might conduct a live experiment over video, while a language teacher could engage students with an interactive quiz. But their objective is universal: educating students through a digital medium.

How to Become an Online Teacher

Becoming an online teacher requires a few prerequisites. The basic requirements vary from school to school, but these steps are the foundation for any successful candidate.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step toward becoming an online teacher. You might choose to major in education as a general foundation. However, many teachers have utilized a degree that aligns with their interests and passions, such as history or science, as a career foundation.

Along with a bachelor’s degree, many teachers will supplement their education with certifications in areas such as literacy, math, science, or special education. With those credentials in hand, teachers can make more money and impact areas they’re highly invested in.

2. Get Certified

If you’re looking to teach at a public elementary or high school, you’ll need to get certified in your state. State certification is the process each state uses to verify that teachers meet the legal requirements to teach in the public school system. Most states have divided their teaching certifications into elementary or middle and high school.

An undergraduate degree in education gained within the state you’ll be working in will often include the certification you need to teach. When your degree is in a different field, you’ll need to pursue alternate pathways to certification.

You might also uncover shorter certificates throughout your career journey, such as the online teaching certificates offered by Penn State. While these programs verify you’ve completed specific coursework, they aren’t designed to certify you for a full-time job in a public school regardless of whether you’re working in person or virtually.

3. Build Experience

The experience you’re required to have as an online teacher varies between platforms and even within the roles listed on each one. For example, on one popular distance learning site, you’ll need three years of experience to teach special education. However, general classroom roles don’t have any experience requirements.

Also, consider traditional student teaching roles to add weight to your resume. Along with student teaching, familiarize yourself with creating lessons and presenting materials online. Problem-solving and practicing connecting with students despite geographical boundaries can help you ease your way into your first role.

4. Focus Your Technology Skills

Succeeding as an online teacher requires a wide range of technology skills. These are necessary to connect with your students and create engaging instruction. While you’re preparing for your online teaching career, consider mastering technologies such as:

This is a short list of the technology resources available to teachers. Once you have an employer or district in mind, look through their job postings to discover what tech stack they seek in applicants.

5. Consider Advanced Education

In addition to the basic requirements for becoming an online teacher, pursue an advanced master’s or doctorate to enter higher education. An advanced degree allows you to pursue educational leadership jobs or move into teaching at the college and university level.

As you begin your graduate studies, you can target your career path. For example, you might focus on educational leadership if you aspire to become a school principal. Or, you might pursue a master’s degree in online special education or a broader master’s degree in teaching to qualify for specialized in-classroom roles.

6. Verify Certification Requirements if You Move

When it comes to teaching certification, states have differing reciprocity agreements with other states. If you move to a new state, you’ll likely need to take new coursework or training. For example, Texas does not offer automatic reciprocity with any other state. You’ll need to have your credentials reviewed and take Texas licensing exams.

On the other hand, Arizona is one of eight states that offers full reciprocity regardless of which state you’re certified in. And if you’re a military spouse, there are special exemptions in 38 states to support your move.

Your years of experience in the classroom and the degree you obtain will generally dictate how much training you must complete. Search your state contacts on the U.S. Department of Education website for the most up-to-date information when you’re ready to plan your move.

Navigating Challenges in Online Teaching

Online teaching offers numerous advantages for both teachers and students, but it comes with some challenges too. For instance, you might struggle with building rapport, managing time effectively, or handling technical issues. To overcome potential challenges, it’s helpful to explore every aspect of a prospective role so you know what to expect.

Explore some common challenges and suggested solutions for online teaching:

Building rapport: It might be challenging to form connections with students in an online setting. You can overcome this by dedicating time to one-on-one interactions and encouraging active participation in group discussions.
Technical issues: Having a reliable internet connection and taking workshops that teach you how to use various online teaching tools can help alleviate technical difficulties.
Time management: Creating a schedule using proven methods, such as time blocking and sticking to an outline, can help you effectively control your time while teaching online.
Student engagement: Interactive teaching methods, such as quizzes, discussion forums, and consistently verifying the level of understanding, can help keep students engaged.

The challenges of online teaching are not insurmountable. But it’s helpful to have a plan in place to mitigate any obstacles before you launch a new career. Once you’ve made your pros and cons list, you’re ready to start your search for an online teaching job.

How to Land a Remote Teaching Job

With the versatile options for distance learning, your career has more options than ever before. Take some time to decide on your ideal work environment and structure.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Do I want to teach the same students for an entire semester or year?
Would I like to leverage flexibility and work from anywhere or work mainly from my home office?
Am I hoping to work variable hours or stick to traditional school hours?
Do I want to work within a public school system or in a less traditional role?
Am I planning to use this as full-time or supplemental income?

After setting your job search goals, begin your job search at educational institutions that offer online teaching opportunities. Traditional schools increasingly offer remote instruction, and many e-learning companies and platforms are dedicated to digital learning.

Companies That Post Remote Jobs for Teachers

Finding an online teaching role requires some strategy and knowledge of where to look. Start with these companies that frequently post remote teaching roles:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Virtual Teaching Jobs

We’ve gathered some frequently asked questions and answers to give you a snapshot of the world of online instruction.

1. Is a specific degree required to become an online teacher?

A bachelor’s degree is typically the first step, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be in education. Many teachers use a degree in a subject they’re passionate about, like history or science, as their foundation.

2. What certifications are needed to teach online?

Certification requirements vary based on the state and platform you plan to use. Becoming officially certified demonstrates that you’ve met the criteria to teach in a specific state or digital environment.

3. What challenges are common in online teaching, and how can I overcome them?

Some common challenges include engaging with students, addressing technical issues, and managing time effectively. Strategies like scheduling one-on-one time with students, having a reliable internet connection, sticking to a well-structured schedule, and using interactive teaching methods can help you overcome these challenges.

4. Where can I find online teaching job opportunities?

Educational institutions that offer online teaching opportunities are a great place to start. Traditional schools increasingly offer remote instruction, and there are many e-learning companies and platforms exclusively dedicated to digital learning. Leverage remote job boards, such as the one here at FlexJobs or at Remote.co, to find current openings.

Launching Your Career as an Online Teacher

Online teaching is an exciting, flexible, and rapidly growing field. You can navigate your way to a successful career with focused preparation. Adaptability and a willingness to learn new tools and methods are the keys to thriving in this new digital education landscape.