Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Career Overview

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Also Known As

English Teacher
Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher)
Social Studies Teacher
Teacher

Alternate Job Titles

Accounting Teacher
After School Teacher
Algebra Teacher
Art Educator
Art Instructor
Art Teacher
Arts and Crafts Teacher
Athletic Instructor
Athletics Teacher
Band Teacher
Bilingual Teacher
Biology Teacher
Ceramics Teacher
Chemistry Teacher
Choir Teacher

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Education and Training
English Language
Customer and Personal Service
Computers and Electronics

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Instructing
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Learning Strategies
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Active Learning
Coordination

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Oral Expression
Oral Comprehension
Written Comprehension
Speech Recognition
Speech Clarity
Written Expression
Deductive Reasoning
Near Vision
Inductive Reasoning
Problem Sensitivity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Dependability
Optimism
Social Orientation
Cooperation
Empathy

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Relationships
Achievement
Working Conditions
Independence
Support

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

Bunsen burners
Computer data input scanners
Computer laser printers
Desktop computers
Digital video cameras
Dissection scalpels
Document cameras
Glass beakers
Interactive whiteboards
Laboratory heating plates
Laptop computers
Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
Multimedia projection equipment
Optical compound microscopes
Pencil compasses

Work Environment

E-Mail
Contact With Others
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Public Speaking

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$47,330
Median	$64,580
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$104,670

Workers Employed Nationally: 1,072,540