by Ellen Levitt
College professors and graduate school academics are well aware of the saying “Publish or Perish.” Their writing appears in all manners of journals, as well as magazines and websites. This situation may seem intimidating to teacher-writers of early childhood years through 12th grades, but it shouldn’t be. There are many writing opportunities for teachers and counselors who work with this large pool of students. You don’t need a PhD to impress editors and the general public with your writing.
Whether you’re a veteran middle school Spanish teacher, a special ed paraprofessional, or a fourth grade general ed teacher, if you want to write during your free time, go for it. Teachers have a lot to say to readers.
I was a high school and middle school social studies teacher for eighteen years with the Department of Education in New York City, and found several opportunities during my tenure as well as afterward, to write about teaching and education. Each month I read the monthly union newspaper, New York Teacher, and noticed that the editors solicited material for a few sections and columns. I sent in essays a few times, and four of my pieces were published in the “Teacher to Teacher” column. I was paid for each, which ran with my byline and a photo. I have written about teaching even after I left the DoE, for Submittable and for The Wisdom Daily.
Teachers who want to write about educational issues and related topics might turn first to the union and teacher newspapers, magazines and websites such as American Educator, EdWeek, MiddleWeb.com, Edutopia, NAIS.org, WeAreTeachers, and other pedagogic publications. Look at each publication and site, and see what they are looking for. These magazines need material for a variety of articles and columns. Look closely at these and their Contact or Submission sections for ideas and stylistic requirements.
If you teach in a parochial school (full time or after school-weekend program as well) you may find opportunities to write for publications and websites that are related to your religious or ethnic affiliation. Some churches and synagogues publish regular bulletins (monthly, bimonthly, etc.) and you may be able to get a writing credit with these. They may not pay, but they could be a starting place for a budding educational writer.
Are you a physical education instructor who has a specialty in dance, yoga, weight training, or other sports and disciplines? There are many opportunities for you to write about how you teach in your field. Likewise music teachers who are skilled in particular instruments, knowledgeable in certain genres of music, and so on.
Special education teachers also have many options for writing, not only in child development magazines but also for publications and websites that focus on health and issues for people with a variety of disabilities and for advocacy groups. Look into journals on special education as well.
Teachers can sell some of their best written lesson plans on a few websites, such as www.teacherspayteachers.com “Each resource on TpT is created by a Teacher-Author and is tailored to a unique need or niche.” You should carefully edit any lesson you submit, so that it’s as well crafted as possible, and more desirable to interested teachers.
Teachers who are interested in writing a whole book on their field or another educational topic should examine the websites of educational book publishers. Comb through the catalogues and the editorial contacts, their “Publish With Us” sections and their author proposal guidelines. Think about your target audience. You may be required to write a chapter or two or an introduction.
Among the educational book publishers are Routledge (some of their titles are written by PreK-12 teachers, others by professors); Heinemann (which has books written by current and past teachers); Corwin.com (they publish many books, some written or co-written by teachers); Stenhouse.com (which has author-teachers, admin and coach teachers); Scholastic.com; ASCD.org and others.
Teachers can write about teaching, education, child development for more generalized magazines, columns and sites. The Washington Post and other major dailies run education articles and opinion pieces. Parenting and childcare magazines and websites have opportunities for teachers, and be sure to mention your credentials when querying. Don’t overlook homeschooling magazines and sites for writing opportunities, even if you have to work within their more specific audience specifications.
Most teachers can find something to write about their subject areas: social studies teachers can write for history magazines, arts teachers can write for crafts publications, and the like. Browse through these two lists for more possibilities:
15 Education Magazines and Publications
26 Education & Teaching Magazines and Websites that Pay Freelance Writers
Look for writing opportunities with mentors and professors as well. Here is how one young teacher found valuable writing experience:
S. Overman: “I helped with the writing of a book about teachers’ experiences in the creations and execution of an after school science program in a housing authority setting. I got this opportunity through a work-study program offered through my college, Elon University. The professor with whom I worked first just asked that we both keep a journal of our experiences, writing an entry each day following a session at the housing authority Then I went through our entries, and coded similar themes. From that we developed the outline for our book and analysed our entries to make sense of our experiences. In college I also contributed a piece to a book of (essays) that focused on my experience teaching in a public school in Costa Rica, particularly taking a look at the presence of religion in the public schools and the stark contrast presents to schools in the United States.”
Teachers should look into writing not only because it’s a good opportunity for making additional income, but also for professional growth, for building a stronger teaching resume and portfolio, and also to make contacts with other people who can help enrich one’s teaching career. Getting published as a teacher, and especially with credits that reflect upon your teaching specialty, is a gratifying addition to one’s teaching career. No matter what grade level or subject area, teachers can search for writing opportunities. Although you should steel yourself in case your query is rejected or your article gets a major rework, keep plugging away and you will learn a great deal. Best of luck!
