Homeschooling Consultant

Communication, organization, and the ability to juggle several things at once are needed in this field. Your job will be to set up the school curriculum and schedule classes for parents who seek to teach their children at home instead of in public or private schools. You could consult for a parent who doesn’t want the child in the school system for religious or intellectual reasons or whose child has to be out of school for a long period of time due to illness or injury. If you are establishing a new curriculum, you will need the ability to evaluate the child’s skill level. If you are helping the student who will be out for a long period, you will have to communicate with her school on a regular basis.


Start-up is low after you have obtained your degree. Be prepared to buy books up-front and be reimbursed for them later. Charging $45 per hour on a regular basis could earn you up to $45,000 per year.


You may need to join a national, state, or local education association program in order to get a job. This business allows for excellent, high-standard teaching without all the hassles of dealing with a classroom. You don’t have to answer to a boss and if you fi nd you don’t care for the environment, you can quit. Networking is a definite necessity, but with enough contacts, you could find yourself with year-round work.

Approx. cost of start-up: $300 to $1,000


Approx. potential earnings: $15,000 to $45,000


Typical fees: $25 to $45 per hour


Where to promote: School boards, Yellow Pages, local newspapers, Web site with links to resources


Qualifications: Degree in education, teaching certificate


Things needed: Books, teachers’ guides, monthly planners


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Mileage What You Do