What would you do with these skills?

[splotchy1]

I am an Instructional designer (write and design online training programs) who has been unable to find steady work due to my remote location. I had a remote contract for 7 years that ended, and things are getting desperate for me financially.
I have a california teaching credential that expired last year (plus I live in Oregon), a degree in Child Development, good organizing skills but nothing professional, and this Masters in Education/Instructional Design getting me nowhere where I live.
I've been able to stay home with my kids and am trying to figure out how to not have to go get a 9-5 job or move.
I've thought about doing daycare in my home, but the rates are so low in my area, that I can't make ends meet unless I had 8-9 kids. (2$/hr is typical here)

What else can I do with my skills? Help me brainstorm please!

[EviesMom]

I'm somewhat similar-no teaching cert but tons of educational writing experience; master's in educational technology. I've historically worked for big ed publishers--Scholastic, Kaplan-- but that's been slow lately, even for onsite work. Might be worth sending your resume to some of them though, because they all hire freelance periodically. I think it's more useful to get a couple of names at each company in school publishing depts than to send to HR though; HR seems to mainly handle full-time, on-site work.

I've been doing more of what I did at the beginning of my career in a different city--employee manuals, technical training docs so regular minimum-wage workers know how to run computer sales reports, etc. The nice thing is that I found I'm still good at it, have gotten better about it in many ways, and it feels familiar so it's less daunting than a truly "all new" area.

I've gotten most of that via word of mouth and DHs graphic design business. He's hired writers for other stuff that have sent him great cover letters and samples for areas he doesn't already have someone skilled at that topic-healthcare, education, annual reports, employee materials, advertising, direct-mail, etc.

[kssinca]

what about a preschool or tutoring? you could also offer online tutoring so that you wouldn't be limited to your location.

[Night Owl]

Not entirely sure what the market is for this, but I know that a lot of online marketers, business and life coaches put together training programs for their customers. There are also a lot of informational website owners who supplement their income with training courses, or informational courses.

I'm thinking it might be possible that you could hang your shingle as an instructional designer VA (virtual assistant) -- someone who can create training courses, instructional manuals, etc. for people across the country.

Just an idea that you might consider researching.

Hope that helps!

[eepster]

How about designing a good curriculum for home schoolers. I see people on these boards constantly complaining about their curriculum. Not quick money, but possible long term steady income.

[PJsmomma]

I think that the HS curriculum thing would be highly competitive. There's tons and tons out there.

[lisarussell]

Have you considered working as a teacher for an online school?

[georgia]

I have several friends who are college professors who are now almost exclusively working/teaching online. Things really have changed over the past decade for opportunities in education for both students and faculty. splotchy--please keep us updated

[kokonutmama]

Even if you can't find work teaching online right away, there's always online tutoring to hold you over while you look for other work.
Good Luck!

ETA: Something I decided for myself years ago and has felt good to me is this: I will not be a slave to my credentials. I won't tell you what my degree and professional experience is in, but I will say this: it has nuh-thing to do with being a parent and an ecommerce entrepreneur.