I’m physically disabled and had to quit working as a teacher in March.

27 Comments

1. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachSeptember 29,2024 at 12:58PM UTC

   What type of job are you looking for?

2. AnonymousSeptember 29,2024 at 1:29PM UTC

   What I always do is that even though I have a job, I continue applying to another jobs that I qualified or not qualified for. That has worked for me because when I decided to quit a job always I have another job to go for .

   good luck

3. AnonymousSeptember 29,2024 at 1:56PM UTC

   AAA is always hiring remote call receivers.

4. GirlBossanova934974September 30,2024 at 12:39PM UTC

   I would look into customer service jobs for large retailers, airlines, and insurance companies. In the meanwhile, have you checked with Social Security and/or your State Department of Labor to see if you are eligible for disability benefits aka a monthly disability check? I may be wrong but I think you may be eligible.

5. AnonymousSeptember 30,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

   Using your talents and education to examine remote teaching would be best. You can reach out to local areas such as community colleges. They have opportunities for continuing education offerings that you could do remotely, especially if you create the course. You can contact homeschool materials providers if you want to stick with K-12. If you want to go with higher education, there is a higeredjobs website.

6. Beth DaniellSeptember 30,2024 at 1:09PM UTC

   I see a lot of people mentioning remote teaching so I'll offer another option. You can reach out to your contacts within your old school system and see if anyone knows of people who need tutoring. You may be able to do this remotely or the limited time may be more accessible to you than being in a classroom all day.

   If you are an English teacher, you can also look at scoring SAT/ACT tests which is usually remote. Look at Fivrr and see what kinds of jobs people are advertising and work on setting up a profile there - could be resume writing, could be light copy-editing. Best of luck!

7. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanSeptember 30,2024 at 6:33PM UTC

   Several people I know who have retired as teachers are now teaching online, specifically with international schools. One teaches biology to Chinese students. She teaches in English. Another teaches English literature. In many ways this is group tutoring, the goal being to teach the subjuct but also assist students to improve their English language skills.

8. Gema Watson WoodOctober 1,2024 at 1:38PM UTC

   I forgot to mention that this type of work involves educating and serving people. I hope you at least set an appointment to explore the possibility. Have a fabulous day!

   Gema

9. DebraOctober 2,2024 at 12:08PM UTC

   Teach English online to kids in Asia, work as a curriculum developer, research assistant

10. Amala LaneOctober 2,2024 at 12:10PM UTC

    Indeed and Idealist.org are good job search platforms in my experience. You can set up filters for remote work, full or part-time. You can upload your resume. Networking with friends and family, former colleagues also could help you.

11. AnonymousOctober 2,2024 at 12:27PM UTC

    is it possible for you to apply for disability income? Contact Allsup.org- see if they can advise you?

12. Caitlan CableOctober 2,2024 at 12:31PM UTC

    If you're on private disability insurance they likely have vocational counselors who can offer a ton of free assistance

13. AnonymousOctober 2,2024 at 12:35PM UTC

    Reach out to Bender Consulting. They’re a recruiting firm that helps people with disabilities find jobs. They helped me find my job. They can be a little annoying because they call a lot but they get you a job.

14. AnonymousOctober 2,2024 at 1:04PM UTC

    I’m glad to hear Bender helped you.

15. Christina TuckerOctober 2,2024 at 1:30PM UTC

    My company has remote positions available: careers.atipt.com

16. Ms JulyOctober 2,2024 at 1:43PM UTC

    Hey there,

    I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing these things.

    The university I am attending has remote positions available and I would love a great opportunity to learn from a experienced teacher such as yourself.

    Here is a trusted link to their remote workers page:

    Remote Work Guidelines | Portland State University (pdx.edu) - then at the top bout middle of page says 'JOBS @ PSU ' and you can begin applying there.

    One of professors doesn't even work in the USA> he just told everyone this week he works from Germany. why they are hiring someone to work on an Oregon college from Germany is totally weird to me but hey, great for him.

    ....so please, do apply.

    not sure if itll let me post it on here but search google, remote jobs at universities and you will find plenty to choose from.

    Hope that helps,

    Good luck!

17. Elizabeth BankOctober 2,2024 at 2:02PM UTC

    You might be able to work in learning and development or talent development at a corporation it’s basically curriculum for employees. Perhaps you could look for those jobs that are remote or hybrid.

18. AnonymousOctober 2,2024 at 2:25PM UTC

    A lot of great tips in here. One thing I would add to the suggestions is that if you find you need "experience" for any of the jobs suggested (like, being able to prove your remote working chops & ability to handle remote work deliverables, which are different from in-person teaching), try freelance.

    Not all the freelance platforms are great or great pay, but they are experience, they are some money, and they will give you something practical to talk about in interviews to show potential employers you're reliable in a remote setting. (If the jobs don't pay well, they also don't last long, and potential employers don't need to know what you're earning from current clients.)

    Sorry for everything you're going through, and I wish you the best!

19. LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEOctober 2,2024 at 4:29PM UTC

    Have you registered with any temporary/contract employment agencies? I have done this and it is a great way to network and the income helps pay the bills.

    In addition, you can suggest a video meeting/interview and tell the agency that you are looking for part-time or remote work.

    Have you considered applying with one of the online education programs -- for the grade level(s) you teach?

    You are talented and your have many options to choose from.

20. AnonymousOctober 2,2024 at 5:16PM UTC

    I have multiple physical disabilities and I was in the same boat as you in not being able to find work however, in my case I was wrongfully terminated due to being disabled by my former employer.

    With some help and encouragement from friends and family, I became self-employed as a bookkeeper. I love it as it allows me the independence of being able to have a schedule that works for me and continue to help others, and my clients love it that I'm not like most of the other bookkeepers out there that have set hours of Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm or something similar for hours. I tell my clients I'm available 24/7 by email, text, or chat; or from set hours that vary during the week based on my schedule that however can start certain days as early as 8 am or be as late as 7pm for taking a phone call. I also tell them that I'll respond to them as soon as I get up for the day and I've had my coffee, with a response of this is how you can fix the problem, or let me dig into it further and sometimes I need to ask follow up questions to figure out what happened and how to fix something. Some of my clients like to be very hands on with their books, others don't like to be very hands on with their books they just want a basic financial statement given to them at the end of each month so they know how their business is performing.

    If you decide you might like to go the self-employment route, I'd highly recommend contacting SCORE at https://www.score.org as they can help set you up with a free mentor to talk to that can help you figure it if becoming self-employed is a good option for you and your situation.

    I hope that helps give you some ideas, and good luck on whatever you decide to do.

21. Lynn KleinOctober 2,2024 at 5:42PM UTC

    Can you tutor online? Offer classes through Outschool.com?

22. Melanie SchaferOctober 2,2024 at 7:07PM UTC

    Pretty much any insurance company has remote jobs. Allstate is nearly remote .

23. KATHLEEN CAMPBELLOctober 3,2024 at 10:33AM UTC

    I know what you mean. I'm physically and mentally disabled.

    And I cant even get a job at home. People hear that word " disabled " and they pretty much freak out. But I do wish you the best of luck. I at least have my crafting that I sell.

24. Béatrice Denise ChahineOctober 3,2024 at 1:57PM UTC

    I am physically disabled since birth and life has been one huge long list of hardships because of the stigma and mostly incorrect stereotypes around that word. I'm afraid I can't help you because I've been forever struggling to get an interview as well. I'm a writer so I hope one day my words help out one day. Strength to you and all of us disabled persons.

25. Michelle StewartOctober 3,2024 at 2:00PM UTC

    Western Governor's University isn't a perfect place, but they are really working toward getting better at being disability friendly and if you have a master's, they are frequently looking for what we call evaluators, which will be 100% WFH and is often part-time. I would check them out.

26. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 3:23PM UTC

    Just go to their website, under "careers".

27. Elizabeth LaurieOctober 3,2024 at 5:08PM UTC

    Have you considered federal government jobs? There are remote options, although part time is tougher. Depending on your disability, you may get a points bump in the application process, which often helps get your foot in the door (the hardest part imo).