Who Are Online Teacherpreneurs and What Do They Do? A Survey of Content Creators on TeachersPayTeachers.com

Abstract

Online teacherpreneurship occurs when current or former P-12 teachers distribute their original classroom resources and ideas through online educational marketplaces such as TeachersPayTeachers.com (TpT). Online teacherpreneurs’ materials have become prolific in classrooms, but little is known about these individuals or their practice. This study sought to understand the characteristics, school environments, practices, and impacts of teacherpreneurship through a survey of TpT sellers (n = 412). Descriptive results show that online teacherpreneurs were predominantly female, white, highly educated, and experienced practitioners. They viewed themselves as helpful, hard-working, creative, and organized. Most separated their school and business work, and they spent considerable time creating educational resources, collaborating with teachers online, and building their business. Online teacherpreneurs reported experiencing improvements to their teaching practice and teacher leadership opportunities. (Keywords: online teacherpreneurs, professional learning networks, social media, teacher leadership)

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Catharyn C. Shelton

Catharyn Shelton is an Assistant Professor of Education at California State University Stanislaus. Her research explores how teachers lead and collaborate in virtual spaces. Please address correspondence to Catharyn Shelton, California State University, Stanislaus, One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Leanna M. Archambault

Leanna Archambault is an Associate Professor of Learning Design and Technologies in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. Her research areas include teacher preparation for online and blended classrooms, the use of innovative technologies to improve learning outcomes, and sustainability literacy for preservice and in-service teachers.