Why You Should Become a VIPKID Teacher! | from a SAHM
Welcome to Monday's blog post my beautiful friends! Today's post is one worth sharing, especially for any SAHM friends who are looking to make an extra income for their family! For those of you that may not know, VIPKID is a reputable company that contracts teachers to teach English to kids in China through an online classroom! (In case you're wondering, no, I don't speak Chinese, haha, and that’s not a requirement because only English is used in the VIPKID classroom!) Head to the bottom and click my referral link if you’d like me to walk you through the hiring process! You can scroll all the way down to see “A Night in the Life” of me teaching!!
I found out about VIPKID from a SAHM thread on Facebook that was sharing how to make "extra money" teaching kids in China from the comfort of home…Red flags much? Immediately, I thought it was a scam because it seemed too good to be true! I didn’t know anyone who had done it prior, but I took the leap because I was desperate to make money from home, it seemed so intriguing to me, and there was no fee to sign up. I found a VIPKID teacher/mentor to guide me through the interview process, watched a ton of YouTube videos, and before I knew it, in about two weeks time, I was hired!! To think, I’ve renewed my contract two times since then! Today I want to share with you why I think you should strongly consider becoming a VIPKID teacher!!
All you need is a bachelor's degree!
It's true! You need to provide proof of a completed bachelor's degree of ANY kind during the interview process prior to hire, as well as SOME KIND OF PROOF of having experience teaching children (however, it doesn't have to be within a brick and mortar school.)
It's super flexible
China is 12 hours ahead of us, which offers a great range of teaching opportunites with their students as you create your own work schedule! I can teach anywhere from 8:30pm through 9:30am whenever I want (as long as I get booked)! When I first started, as a mom of one, I chose slots in the early mornings from 6am to 8:30am while my son was sleeping. I was getting booked consistently, making $10/class (each class is 25 minutes), and I made $50 a day. Doing that 5 days a week, I made $250 a week, and with extra incentives I made over $1,000 a month! This was more than I ever expected to be making from home, and I could’ve made more if I opened more slots. Once I became a mom of two, I felt a strong need to take a break from teaching, and just be present at home. A year later, I hopped back into teaching like it was nothing. Not all jobs can give you that flexibility!
The pay is fair, and there are always incentives for more!
VIPKID ALWAYS look for ways to incentivizes their teachers. I get emails at least once a week about how I can make $30 extra just for opening time slots during a particular time that teachers are in need. You get an extra $1 just by showing up to class on time. You receive an extra $0.50 for every class taught after teaching a minimum of 30 lessons in a month. That $0.50 extra turns to $1 just by hitting 45 classes in a month.
If I'm always on time, and I hit at least 45 classes a month (which I always do), I get an extra $2/class (increased pay from $8/class to $10) which brings my $16/hr to $20/hr, and it shows in my paycheck! If you open a time slot and allow it to be booked within 24 hours of the class, you get an extra $2!! So that's $12 for that 25 min class. You can also apply for a raise once you've hit the necessary guidelines! VIPKID does not tax your pay, and you get paid the full amount each paycheck, which can be once a month, or biweekly. You are sent a 1099, and are fully responsible for doing your own taxes!
It's extremely rewarding
With all the random jobs I've had throughout my life, I've never experienced anything more rewarding! I feel so incredibly blessed, and am still baffled how I'm able to turn on my computer, meet with a child from a different culture ACROSS the world, and form a relationship while teaching English. Each and every class I learn more about their culture, they learn more English, and we learn more about each other!
Make money while traveling/on vacation
The beauty of this job is that you really can teach from ANYWHERE. Whether you use wifi, or a mobile Hotspot, I've taught in the car, at a Capital one Cafe, on vacation in Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico. While I know that noone actually looks forward to "working" while on vacation...it was such a rush and blessing to pay for some of our expenses while on vacation!!
Allows you to make as little or as much as you choose
This job really has no limits except for when you run out of time slots to book, and unless you’re crazy like some people, haha, that's not easy to do! You can literally open as many, or as little slots as you want in hopes that they get booked. Build a good rapport with your regulars, receive good feedback, and chances are that you will! I know single moms that are basically machines making as much as $4,000 a month, and while that's not always the norm, you can make it happen!
Helps you build strong relationships in another country
A piece of my heart is definitely found in China. I've had student's parents offer to house me and show me around China, mail me gifts, and drawings their children made for me, as well as handwritten letters, and printed photos. I’ve taught 169 students and over 1,000 classes!! With VIPKID, you're not just teaching English through a computer screen... you're touching lives and building strong loving relationships around the world!
Creates a sense of financial freedom
As a SAHM myself, I always knew my greatest worth was contributing to my family by being present raising my children, (and my husband fully pushed for that!), but something in me was still yearning to feel like I was contributing financially to my family in one form, or another! VIPKID gave me the opportunity to care for my children while they were awake, and teach/make money/pay off debt while they were fast asleep!
Offers a creative outlet
I have a bachelor's degree in Theater Arts, Acting. This is by no means necessary, but I believe I've personally been able to utilize many of my theatrical skills in the classroom, and the students and parents love it! I love that I'm able to engage with my students, and entertain them while they learn a new language! Other teachers love to get very creative decorating their classroom, and coming up with fun rewards for their students to earn!
Teacher discounts
Show your profile from the VIPKID teacher app, and get your teacher discounts from stores like Michael's and Lakeshore Learning Center!
Work from home in your pajamas
VIPKID teachers have this running joke that the students have no idea that although we are professional within view of the camera, we are all secretly wearing pajama bottoms and slippers! The "uniform" is pretty much nonexistent. You have to wear a professional top, but I stick with a bright orange T-shirt because in all the advertisements that is the color for VIPKID. The beauty of your virtual classroom is the detail is not delivered super clear on camera so I went from teaching in a full face of makeup to waking up, and slapping on some bright RED lipstick right before teaching!! Works just the same!
Get paid to play with kids
I'm "working" when I'm in class, but don't get it twisted... I'm having so much fun! My most favorite classes tend to go the quickest because the child is so engaged and interacting with me like I'm a celebrity child TV show star! That's what it feels like anyway, haha!
Little to no investment/All the props you need, you likely already own!
If you have children, and they have toys, then trust me…you already likely HAVE everything you need aside from a computer, some alphabet cards, index cards, and a dry erase board if you want to get fancy. I can do a separate post, or video on everything you need to get started, my setup, or a Night in the Life teaching if you’d like! Just let me know in the comments below! Do you know how much my investment was?? $8. That's right. I went "crazy" at the dollar store and bought a few items I knew I needed.
The lessons are already made for you!
As soon as a student books your time slot, you instantly have access to their lesson plan which gives you ample time to prepare! The children are ages 4 to 12 years old, and are placed in levels by ability to speak English, not age range!
Join a great community of teachers
As soon as I became a VIPKID teacher, I was immersed in a sea of like minded people who constantly help each other. I have a referral link you can apply through here, which notifies and allows me to personally help you through the whole process of getting hired! (Just to be completely transparent, I do not financially benefit once you apply through my link. It's only after you apply through my link, I’ve helped you through the entire interview process, AND helped you prepare to teach your first class (which you need to successfully teach and complete) that only then will I gain a whopping $100. I have no shame telling you this because this is just ANOTHER perk of being a VIPKID teacher which is something else you can look forward to for extra money once you’re hired! I couldn't have done it without my mentor, and I hope to be that for someone else while earning some extra cash for my family!)
I hope these reasons helped shed light on why I'm so thankful to be working for VIPKID, and why I'd recommend it to anyone who loves children, and is looking to make an extra income from the comfort of their home! Please share this with ANYONE considering VIPKID, or anyone that you think would be a great fit! As I said before, I am happy to share my referral link, and guide anyone through the hiring process! Please leave any questions, comments, or blog requests down below in the comments section! You can also DM me on Instagram (coolmomandcollected)! As we say in the VIPKID world, happy teaching everyone!!
Cool, Calm, and Collectedly Yours,
