Navigating military life comes with its share of obstacles, and one of the toughest challenges for many military spouses is securing meaningful and flexible employment. With military spouse unemployment rates at an all-time high (21% according to Blue Star Families), it’s easy to feel stuck between frequent moves, gaps in your resume, and the struggle to balance work with the demands of military life. Spoiler Alert: I chose substitute teaching as a solution to these challenges.
Over the last almost 14 years, my career has lived many different lives. From being a vet tech to entrepreneurship to digital media and corporate America. And this last year.. enter me choosing substitute teaching as a military spouse—a path I wish I had explored sooner (we’ll come back to why soon). From frequent deployments and TDY’s, over the years as a military spouse it has been hard to feel a sense of stability and passion as the constant changes and relocations often left me struggling to establish roots, both personally and professionally.
With a pending year-long unaccompanied tour and PCS on the horizon in 2023 and 2024, I found myself facing the overwhelming uncertainty of what the next year would bring. On top of that, corporate America was taking over my life — endless hours, unrealistic expectations, and a lack of understanding about the challenges of military life, made it harder than ever to maintain any work-life balance. It was clear that something needed to change. I needed a path that offered flexibility, purpose, and the ability to truly thrive in a career that could move with me, not against me.
At the time, I was an avid volunteer at my daughter’s school and during a PTA meeting, the topic of substitute teaching came up. As I listened, something clicked. It was a career option that seemed to offer the flexibility I needed, allowing me to stay involved in my child’s education while providing the opportunity to earn extra income. I hadn’t considered it before, but the more I thought about it, the more it felt like the perfect solution to balance my family’s needs and my desire for professional fulfillment – no matter where we lived.
While I’m not telling you to chose substitute teaching as a military spouse or to pivot your career into education, I wanted to share it with military spouses as an option. I wish I had known it was a feasible option years ago as it would’ve tightened up my resume sooner and brought in a little extra money for, you know… life. It also has opened doors to personal and professional growth, community connection, and new opportunities – which brings me to now.
My family has since PCS’d to Alaska and the transition from Florida has required us to adjust to a new pace of life. As military spouses, we know how hard it can be to settle into a new duty station, get the kids acclimated and unpack the mountain of boxes that were just delivered. I spent some time over the summer meeting the requirements to become a substitute teacher along with receiving my credentials and completing all of my training. I spent the first few months of the new school year filling in at the elementary school level (at my daughter’s school no less). Beyond the financial benefits, it has helped me feel connected to our local community and build new relationships that are crucial to develop after a PCS. Also, I have had the chance to explore a variety of subjects, age groups, and teaching environments which has helped me discover new interests and refine my existing talents from all of those different lives I talked about earlier.
After truly enjoying my experience as a substitute teacher, I decided to take the next step and apply for and accept a full-time position as a classroom tutor this past Fall. The role has allowed me to engage more deeply with students and teachers, providing a sense of purpose and consistency I had been looking for. And as an added bonus, I get the chance to be even more involved in the day to day of my daughter’s education and nix childcare costs since we go to school and work together.
In the end, choosing substitute teaching as a military spouse has been a career path that I never anticipated but am so grateful I discovered. It has given me a sense of grounding, the opportunity to develop new skills, and a deeper fulfillment in a way that corporate America couldn’t. It’s also given me the flexibility to adapt to military life, allowing me to work in a field that moves with me.
Whether you choose substitute teaching or another flexible option, the key is to embrace the opportunities that align with your family’s needs, and trust that the right path will appear when you least expect it.
P.S. Even if substitute teaching isn’t your long-term career goal or currently aligning with your plans, I encourage you to embrace the opportunities for growth and connection that come with each new experience. You never know how these moments might shape your path or open doors to unexpected possibilities. And if you’re in your volunteering era, learn more from Erin about how volunteering is professional work experience.
