TeachersPayTeachers Means Those Who Can Teach Can Make Bank

When you hear about a tech startup that has grossed $5,000,000 in sales, operates internationally, and connects people with common interests, you might imagine a new virtual game or social network. TeachersPayTeachers is neither of those things. Instead, it is a marketplace for teachers to sell their lesson plans to other teachers, and make a tidy profit off of their work.

Why is TeachersPayTeachers so successful? Because it addresses one of the big problems with education in the United States. Often, teachers will need to stay up hours into the night working on the activities for the next day, improving lesson plans and grading papers. This happens night after night, which turns teaching into a grueling process of nightly routine. At the same time, after years of teaching, teachers start to accumulate stacks of activities and daily lesson plans that benefit no one.

This is where TeachersPayTeachers (TpT) comes in. It operates as an online marketplace for teachers to sell their lesson plans to other teachers. This may seem like a small thing, but the growth and sales have been nothing short of phenomenal for such a small market. Founder Paul Edelman shared one remarkable example with me. Deanna Jump, a kindergarten teacher from Georgia is set to hit $500,000 in sales next week (which isn’t pocket change for a teacher). Deanna isn’t alone, either. In fact, four other teachers have passed the $100,000 mark, and dozens have passed the $30,000 dollar mark.

The business is set up to give the majority of the sales to the teachers, while TpT takes its cut from being the middleman. If a teacher decides to become a basic member, they agree to take only 65% of their sales, with TpT keeping the rest. The second option, which is more agreeable to large sellers like Deanna, is to pay TpT $59.95 annually, and they then are allowed to keep 85% of their gross sales. This enables teachers to make a sizable secondary income, while also keeping TpT profitable.

Not all teachers end up making six-figures from the site, but as a teacher – one of the more consistently underpaid professions – even earning a few hundred extra dollars a month is something to be excited about. As Edelman told me, not only do teachers earn that extra money, but they are also connected through the site to other teachers using their lesson plans. This means that they are hearing stories about their lessons plans being used in classrooms around the country, which is gratifying in and of itself.

While the individual success stories are notable enough on their own, the path Edelman has taken the company on is also impressive. The site was founded in March of 2006, and was sold to Scholastic in December of the same year. During the recession, the site experienced slower growth than Scholastic would have liked, and so he offered to buy the site back. Scholastic agreed, and in March of 2009 Paul once again took control of the site.

Since then, the site has grown 300% annually. There are now over 515,000 registered members, with 30,000 joining every month. Of these, 10,000 are what Edelman described as “active sellers”. These numbers are all made possible by a small team operating around the world – Edelman is in France, the CTO is in America, some are in Ukraine, others in India, programmers scattered around – communicating through Skype, email, phone and SMS. Unorthodox, for sure, but it is certainly a recipe that is working.

With most of the growth occurring in the last 18 months, it is clear TeachersPayTeachers is a prime target for funding at very favorable terms. However, Edelman made it clear that after his experiences with Scholastic, he is hesitant to accept funding. Instead, he is working on growing the site organically, unless funding becomes necessary to accelerate growth.

The most heartwarming part of the entire business is how it benefits everyone involved. Teachers are able to make some extra money, other teachers are given access to top-rated lesson plans, and students get the educational benefits from the best lessons available.

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Lizzi

This is absolutely marvelous - Teachers Helping Teachers (for a modest fee :)!) Teachers - the life-blood of Academia - we work for "moderate pelf" teaching and encouraging young minds (which for the majority of us is a true calling & a joy!). Then some of those young minds end up earning millions of dollars (on an annual basis) to sing songs , play w/a ball, or invent an On-line Game (ahh! the American Dream)...! This pic just seems a "wee-bit" off...!

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Spreading Expertise Through Garage Sales &amp;laquo; t

[...] is successfully doing this with lesson plans and other teaching tools. This article has a nice writeup of its history and performance. As the article concludes: The most [...]

Heather aka HoJo

Teachers Pay Teachers is a wonderful website! I am not making very much money from this endeavor, but my goal is to make enough to help cover some of my classroom expenses each year. I teach in South Dakota - which is one of the lowest paying teaching states in the nation - so every little bit helps. Thanks TpT!!

Greg

I have made only in the single digits in the last six months but I give away most of my work. I figure if it works for me maybe it could work for you. That being said, TpT is a great site. I love seeing what others are doing. Teachers are the most resourceful people I know. We can make anything out of anything. More power to us!

Tracee Orman (@MrsOrman)

That is so true, Greg! "Teachers are the most resourceful people I know. We can make anything out of anything."

I have been so blessed to collaborate and share with teachers around the world because of TeachersPayTeachers. Before I was introduced to the site, I was basically in my own little teaching world, with very little interaction with other teachers in my field and on my way to educational burnout. TpT has given me new (teaching) life, a fresh perspective. Now I can discuss ways I'm teaching a novel unit with a teacher in Australia who is using my materials; I can introduce my students with other students halfway around the globe who are reading the same short story; if I need an emergency sub plan, it takes just seconds to download & print. TpT makes teaching easier and lines the pockets of teachers, rather than large corporations. It really is a win-win for all.

Secondary Solutions

Great point, Tracee! One of the best aspects about TPT, by far, is the ability to interact and communicate with so many great teachers! I have heard from more than one person that TPT has rejuvenated their love of teaching and revitalized the way they create materials. That kind of return is priceless!

Fernley McAllister Smith

Very well said! We all work at school where there is one negative person, complain, complain, complain, but TPT has helped me join up with other teachers who love what they do and want to share what they do! It is such a possitive environment!

I think it is important to note that while there are a good handful of teachers who are "making bank," no teacher should feel as if they are going to sign up and just begin rolling in the dough! It takes a ton of work, and is quite competitive. It is important that products are of the highest quality, unique, and in-demand. Once that happens, you have a winning combination that can give you a nice chunk of change! Kristen

You said this perfectly, Kristen! I have been selling for roughly two years now and I still have not yet made $100 in profit. However - I know I do not put in nearly the time or effort that the big sellers do. But every little bit helps! :)

Audrey Kannon

I have benefited greatly from this site, through its lesson plans but also from the opportunity to exchange with other teachers. It is also extremely affordable, which is also important to teachers. The fact that the material comes from teachers in service who use it is appealing in itself because it is relevant and practical material. The variety is incredible. I have used this site for over a year and hope to sell within the next year...Paul was so in-tune with a real need: Way to go!!!!

Stephanie

TPT has not only allowed me to make a few extra dollars, but it helped me become a better teacher - developing complete lesson plans and going that extra mile not only for my students, but for the teachers that will eventually purchase my lessons.

Richard Samudio

TPT is a great site for not only teachers but parents as well. It's a great way for teachers to make a little more money and share their knowledge with each other. Teachers and students all benefit when great activities/ideas/knowledge are shared!

gregorylent

oh i love this .. hope for the future .. and so far no copyright bs .. good story, thanks

Jon Lawrence (@MPGjon)

One of the coolest services I've never heard of until today. Way to go TpT!

Ashleigh

It's definitely a win-win situation for everyone-including students. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to make a little extra money on TpT.

Rachelle Smith

Great article! TeachersPayTeachers has truly changed the way I teach! Thank you Paul and the TpT crew!

bibliopirate

Anything that helps teachers make some extra cash is something I can approve of.

Lucas Rayala

I shall make the necessary snickering remark about teachers copying their homework from the internet. Now, that said, I'm forwarding this to a few relatives who teach, to help them make a buck.

Monica C. Lee

Laughing out Loud!