Secondary School Teacher Careers Information
Secondary school teachers are focused on teaching students in middle and high school, generally grades 5/6 – 12. Unlike elementary school teachers who tend to work with the same class throughout the day and therefore teach all subjects, middle and high school teachers most often specialize in one subject and teach multiple sets of students throughout the day.
Secondary School Teacher Careers & Degrees
- Jones International University: Online
- MEd in Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- MEd in Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure
Grand Canyon University: Online
- B.S. in Secondary Education: Business Education
- B.S. in Secondary Education: English
- B.S. in Secondary Education: Math
- B.S. in Secondary Education: Social Studies
By being skilled in one field, secondary teachers are able to give their students more specialized knowledge of a given field. Secondary school teachers may teach a traditional core subject (math, English, history, chemistry), a vocational course (agricultural science, business), a physical education course, or an arts course (music and theatre).
In middle school, these teachers are introducing their students to this higher level of subject work and so must still spend time covering basic knowledge. In high school, however, teachers are able to cover their respective subjects in-depth.
In Advance Placement (AP) and dual college credit courses (courses in which high school students may earn college credit) secondary school teachers offer highly specialized lessons and demand much of their students.
Due to the amount of content they must teach their students, secondary school teachers often rely on homework to cement the lessons taught during class time. Practice problems, take-home exams, papers, and research projects are the most common types of homework assigned.
Secondary School teachers also have the opportunity to become mentors. They prepare students for their time after high school, whether that be in college, at a vocational school, or straight into a job.
They use homework and class assignments not only to reinforce content knowledge, but also to impart responsibility and time management skills. Because they can relate to them on more of an adult level, secondary school teachers can help students understand their strengths and, in conjunction with guidance counselors, offer them advices as they choose an educational or occupational path.
Secondary School Teacher Careers: Salary Expectations
The average salary for secondary school teachers is $47,100 to $51,180 a year. Since most public school teachers are members of a union, their benefits and pay/salary are determined by bargaining in their state or district.
Teachers, especially at the high school level, may be able to make more money by coaching sports teams, tutoring, and/or teaching summer classes. With more experience, some teachers may be able to move into administrative positions to earn a higher salary.
Secondary School Teacher Careers Path
Unlike elementary education teachers who earn their degrees in elementary education, secondary school teachers typically earn a Bachelor’s degree in the subject they plan to teach (i.e. an English teacher earns an English degree while a chemistry teacher earns a chemistry degree).
They will, however, take education courses to prepare them for teaching. Some states require their teachers to have a Master’s degree in education in order to teach, though many will let teachers earn them as they work.
All states require their secondary teachers to become certified, though the particular requirements vary from state. Typically, certification requires some combination of education, testing, practicum, and probationary teaching period. Most states also require their teachers to complete continuing education classes throughout their careers in order to maintain their licenses.
Secondary School Teacher Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Intelligent, highly organized, excellent communicator, hard-working, patient, creative, works well with young people, willing to work odd hours, trustworthy.
Secondary School Teacher Interview
For advice on a secondary school teacher career, Read More from a Secondary School Teacher…
Secondary School Teacher Careers: Job Outlook
The job outlook for secondary school teachers is generally good, though the number of openings will vary depending on subject and school location. Teachers of math and science will be in high demand.
Teachers who are willing to teach in low income rural or inner city areas will also have many opportunities available. There will be need for teachers of all subjects and in all regions, however, to replace the many set to retire in the coming years.
Teachers with higher degrees, who teach math, a hard science, or foreign language, who can teach students for whom English is a second language, and/or who are flexible in where they live will have the best chance finding work.
Secondary School Teacher Associations and Resources
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Slightly off the Footpath for a Teacher
Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos318.htm
