If you love teaching but feel exhausted by the school system, you’re not alone. The good news is, that there are alternative careers for teachers for those teachers who adore working with children, but crave a career that offers:
- Higher pay
- More flexibility
- A more fulfilling teaching experience
If you’re a teacher searching for a high-paying job outside the classroom, becoming a governess or governor could be the perfect next step. Private families actively seek experienced teachers for these roles. So if you’ve ever wondered whether you could make the leap, the answer is yes!
In this post, I’ll break down:
- Why teachers excel as governesses and governors
- Which skills transfer seamlessly to private education
- How to get started in this rewarding career
Are you ready to explore these exciting alternative careers for teachers? It’s a new way to teach. A career that offers more freedom, better pay, and a chance to tailor learning to a child’s needs. Let’s take the first step!
What is A Governess or Governor?
So, you’ve probably heard the term “governess” before and wondered what the role actually involves, or how it’s different from a teacher or nanny.
A governess is a private educator hired by families to provide one-to-one teaching and personal development to children in a home setting, rather than in a school. Unlike a nanny, a governess focuses on education rather than general childcare, often tailoring lessons to suit the child’s individual needs.
Many former teachers transition into governess or governor roles because they offer:
- Higher pay (starting from £40/50K, with experienced governesses and governors earning £80K+)
- Small group teaching (often just one or two children)
- More flexibility and freedom to teach beyond the national curriculum
- Exciting opportunities, including international travel with families
If you love teaching but want a better work-life balance and less bureaucracy, becoming a governess could be the perfect next step.
Want to learn more? Download my free guide below!
Why Teachers Make the Best Governesses and Governors (And How You Can Become One)
Just like so many teachers, you love teaching, but feel exhausted by the school system. Many teachers adore working with children but crave a career that offers:
- Higher pay
- More flexibility
- A more fulfilling teaching experience
If you’re a teacher searching for a high-paying job outside the classroom, becoming a governess or governor could be the perfect next step. Private families actively seek experienced teachers for these roles, so if you’ve ever wondered whether you could make the leap, the answer is yes!
In this post, I’ll break down:
- Why teachers excel as governesses and governors
- Which skills transfer seamlessly to private education
- How to get started in this rewarding career
Are you ready to explore these alternative careers for teachers? Becoming a governess or governor is a new way to teach. These roles offer more freedom, better pay, and a chance to tailor learning to a child’s needs. Let’s dive in!
Governess roles – Perfect Fit Alternative Careers for Teachers
With our comprehensive skill set, former teachers make a great fit for governess or governor roles. Here’s why:
Already have classroom management skills
As a teacher, you’re a pro at handling multiple learning styles, managing behaviour, and keeping children engaged. A governess/governor role is similar except instead of 30+ students, you’re working with just one family’s children, meaning you can truly personalise their education.
No more endless paperwork, disruptive classrooms, or unrealistic expectations – just real, focused teaching.
You’re used to creating structured learning plans
Teachers already understand curriculum development, assessment, and how to create engaging lessons. In a governess/governor role, you have more freedom to design individualised learning experiences without being restricted by national curriculum guidelines.
Families hiring a governess/governor are looking for someone who can:
- Assess a child’s strengths and weaknesses
- Adapt lessons to suit their interests and learning style
- Provide structure and consistency in their education
If you love lesson planning and seeing real progress, a governess job is perfect for you.
You know how to motivate and support children
One of the biggest concerns wealthy families have is ensuring their children stay engaged in their studies without the structure of a traditional school. Teachers know how to do this instinctively.
You already have experience:
- Breaking down complex concepts into simple, engaging lessons
- Building strong relationships with children and adapting to their personalities
- Creating learning experiences that don’t feel like “schoolwork”
Many governesses/governors incorporate interactive, hands-on activities like museum visits, travel-based learning, and real-world experiences, a dream for any educator who feels limited by the four walls of a classroom.
You’re comfortable working with parents and guardians
Teachers communicate with parents all the time, whether it’s progress updates, behaviour discussions, or setting learning goals.
In a governess/governor role, you’ll be working directly with the family, often providing insights into their child’s progress and collaborating to create the best possible learning environment.
This skill is invaluable for private educators because parents hiring a governess/governor often want someone who can:
- Offer professional guidance on their child’s education
- Suggest enrichment activities or academic pathways
- Work seamlessly with other household staff, like nannies or tutors
Your ability to communicate professionally and confidently with families gives you a massive advantage in securing governess/governor roles.
You’re passionate about education (but need a better work-life balance)
Let’s be honest, the school system is draining. Between marking, meetings, and unrealistic expectations, many passionate teachers are leaving not because they don’t love teaching, but because the system makes it impossible to thrive.
Becoming a governess means:
- Smaller student-to-teacher ratios = More meaningful teaching
- Higher salaries (often £40K – £80K+ depending on experience)
- No endless paperwork or standardized testing stress
- The opportunity to travel and teach in new environments
If you still love teaching but want more freedom, better pay, and less stress, governess work is one of the best alternative careers for teachers.
Final Thoughts: Is a Governess/Governor Career Right For You?
Becoming a governess or governor is an ideal alternative career for teachers who love teaching, but crave a better work-life balance. With higher pay, more curriculum flexibility, and opportunities to travel, this path could be the perfect next step for you.
You already have the skills, experience, and passion. All you need is the right strategy and support to make the transition into this rewarding career. After a long and successful journey, I truly believe that being a governess or governor is one of the most fulfilling alternative careers for teachers — especially if, like me, you still love to teach.
Want to know how your classroom skills translate perfectly to private childcare? Check out my related post: 10 Transferable Skills That Make Teachers Ideal for Governess or Governor Roles
Want to Learn More?
Download my FREE Mini Guide: Teacher to Governess or Governor – Your First Steps
This guide will walk you through the process step by step, so you can start exploring governess/governor jobs today.
