Alternate Employment for Teachers: From Classroom to Training Adults on Financial Literacy

For many teachers, education is more than a career — it’s a calling to guide and support students. The desire to make a difference, inspire growth, and empower others drives every lesson plan and classroom interaction. Yet in recent years, an increasing number of educators have begun asking themselves a deeper question:

How can I continue to make an impact while pursuing a career path that offers greater flexibility, purpose, and financial independence?

For those seeking an answer, financial literacy education offers a compelling next chapter — one that allows teachers to use their communication skills, empathy, and leadership to change lives beyond the traditional classroom.

An Alternate Way to Educate Education: Teaching Financial Literacy

With Financial Illiteracy being the #1 Economic Crisis in the World, the need for Financial educators is rapidly growing as one of the most in-demand fields. With rising inflation, student loan burdens, and changing job markets, individuals and families are actively seeking guidance on making smarter financial decisions.

This growing awareness has created an urgent need for experienced educators who can explain complex financial concepts clearly and simply, build trust with learners, and inspire real behavioral change that creates outcomes families only dreamed of one day. These are exactly the qualities that teachers already possess.

Transitioning from teaching students to teaching adults about financial literacy is a natural evolution. It allows educators to continue doing what they love, empowering others through knowledge, while entering a field that offers personal growth and long-term financial stability.

Why Teachers Excel as Financial Educators

Teachers bring an unmatched skill set to the world of financial education that is so valuable. The ability to break down complex topics into simple, understandable language is a cornerstone of effective financial literacy training. Whether it’s explaining the basics of budgeting, retirement planning, or debt management, teachers know how to meet learners where they are and guide them toward clarity.

Beyond their communication skills, teachers also bring empathy and patience — essential traits when working with adults who may feel intimidated by financial topics. Their experience in creating safe learning environments helps clients open up about their goals and challenges, paving the way for meaningful transformation.

Moreover, teachers are natural motivators. They understand how to inspire confidence and persistence — two qualities required to help individuals take control of their financial futures. In many ways, moving into financial education allows teachers to expand their reach, helping entire families and communities rather than a single classroom.

Purpose and Possibility: Building a New Kind of Impact

At its heart, the field of financial literacy is about empowerment for you and the families you support. Every person taught becomes more capable of making informed financial decisions — reducing stress, strengthening families, and improving communities. For teachers who’ve dedicated their lives to nurturing growth, this mission feels both familiar and deeply rewarding.

What makes this transition especially powerful is its dual impact. Teachers who pursue careers in financial education not only achieve greater financial flexibility and financial independence but also help others do the same. It’s a win-win-win … for the educator, for the families they serve, and for the communities that benefit from improved financial health.

This sense of purpose is what draws so many former teachers to WealthWave, a company leading the movement in financial education through its How Money Works™ platform. WealthWave empowers financial educators to share practical, actionable lessons that demystify personal finance and give individuals the confidence to take control of their futures.

From the Classroom to Financial Empowerment

One of the most encouraging aspects of this career path is accessibility. Teachers do not need another degree or years of learning new skills to make the shift. What they need is guidance, mentorship, and a system that allows their teaching strengths to shine in a new context.

Through WealthWave’s proven framework, educators gain the tools to teach adults financial literacy in an approachable, effective, and scalable way. Whether it’s through one-on-one coaching, community workshops, or corporate training, teachers can step into roles that extend their impact far beyond traditional boundaries.

The result?

A meaningful, flexible, and profitable career where passion meets purpose, one that allows educators to continue making a difference while achieving financial freedom themselves.

Meet Sally & Jackie: Guiding Educators Toward a New Future

At the forefront of this mission are Sally King and Jackie Cartner, two accomplished Financial Educators with WealthWave – The How Money Works Company. Both bring unique journeys that exemplify what’s possible when teaching skills are paired with financial education expertise.

Sally King began her career as a remedial reading teacher in California and Central Texas before spending 15 years as a registered nurse. With over 20 years of experience helping individuals and families build strong financial foundations, she blends compassion, teaching ability, and practical knowledge to empower others with confidence and clarity. Her cross-country experiences have shaped her inclusive approach to financial education, allowing her to connect with people from all walks of life.

Jackie Cartner, a licensed Financial Educator and WealthWave leader, has spent more than seven years helping families create sustainable financial strategies. With a background in major financial firms and a mission rooted in “no family left behind,” she focuses on retirement planning, college funding, and debt-free living. Together with her husband — also a teacher turned financial educator — Jackie demonstrates how educators can successfully transition into this field while maintaining balance between family, purpose, and prosperity.

Sally and Jackie are passionate about helping teachers envision a future where their impact continues to grow — not just within a classroom of 25 students, but across entire communities. Through mentorship, training, and lived experience, they show that educators already have the core strengths needed to succeed in this evolving field.

Taking the Next Step

If you’ve ever wondered how to take your teaching skills beyond the classroom while continuing to make a difference, now is the time to explore financial literacy as your next chapter. The demand for financial education is only increasing — and the need for compassionate, skilled communicators has never been greater.

Sally and Jackie are leading the way, showing that teaching financial literacy is not just a career pivot — it’s a powerful opportunity to change lives while building your own financial future using your amazing teacher skills.

Teachers can sign up to book a call to learn more about the field and partnering with Jackie and Sally for a successful beginning to their next dream job to watch the on-demand workshop.

Through meeting with them, you’ll gain insight into what it means to be a Financial Educator, how to get started, and how to turn your passion for teaching into a lifelong mission of empowerment that gives you flexibility and fulfillment. And the best part, you don’t have to have strong math skills to be successful in this role as well.

The classroom may look different, but the purpose remains the same … to educate, inspire, and create lasting change.

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