High School Teacher

At a Glance
High school teachers instruct secondary school students in one or two subjects.

Core Tasks
Motivate students to learn with creative lesson plans Adapt teaching methods to students needs Prepare and grade tests and assignments May coach sports, supervise clubs, or take students on field trips Monitor students behavior and discipline those who act up

Workplace
Employed by public school boards and private schools Work in classrooms, science or computer labs, or machine shops May have to deal with unruly students Often spend evenings and weekends preparing lessons and grading assignments Most work a regular 9 to 10-month school year

Earnings
Typical Earnings Range: $20 - $100

$35,000 to $84,000 a year The median is around $54,000 a year Public school teachers tend to earn more than private school teachers

Education & Training

A bachelors degree or training and experience in a technical field Completion of a teacher education program A license to teach in your state Private school teachers may not need a license

Level of Education
4-Year College or University

Attributes & Abilities

Passionate about your teaching subject Enjoy teaching teenagers

 Patient Assertive Communication skills

Michigan Career Pathways

pathwayDescription

Job Description
Before you complain about how much homework you have tonight, think about how much work your teachers have put into preparing it, and how long theyll have to spend grading it. High school teachers, also called secondary school teachers, usually work with students from 9th grade and up. Unlike elementary school teachers, they usually specialize in teaching just one or two subjects, like math, English, history, shop, or computers. High school teachers teach three to six different classes a day, depending on their schools scheduling system. Class sizes usually range from 15 to 40 students. Despite the large number of students, teachers try to meet the needs of individual students. This can mean tutoring those who need additional help or designing extra assignments for students who are ahead of most of their classmates. Good teachers are creative, and find interesting and varied ways to present information and motivate students to learn. They organize group work and research activities, and make use of audiovisual and computer-based resources. Teachers pass on more than knowledge of academic subjects. They also guide values and attitudes and help students develop life skills. They help students resolve social problems and advise on educational and career goals. They are usually involved in extracurricular activities as well. Some coach sports teams, supervise clubs, and take students on field trips. Teachers sometimes have to deal with serious problems among students, such as fighting and bullying. They also need to be on the lookout for signs of drug and alcohol problems, abuse, and depression. These things affect students attendance and class work, so teachers can be the first adults to notice when a young person is in trouble.

Working Conditions
High school teachers are usually employed by public school boards or by private schools. Depending on the subject they teach, teachers may work in classrooms, science labs, computer labs, or machine shops. Typically, they deal with 20 to 35 students at a time. In addition to teaching, they have to maintain order in the classroom and discipline disruptive students. Teachers usually spend many evening and weekend hours preparing lessons and grading assignments; on average, they work about 50 hours a week. Most teachers work a 9 or 10-month school year, with 2 or 3 months off during the summer. However, many spend summers planning for the following year and taking continuing education courses to upgrade their skills. Teachers tend to have a very high level of job satisfaction. Helping young people learn and grow can be very rewarding.

Earnings
High school teachers salaries depend on their location, level of education, the number of years theyve been teaching, and their employer. For example, those who work in private schools typically earn less than public school teachers.

Entry-level teachers typically earn $35,000 to $45,000 a year, although those with a masters degree can earn over $50,000 a year in some states. The national median salary for high school teachers is about $54,000 a year. Most earn between $40,000 and $84,000 a year. Those in senior administrative positions, like principal or assistant principal, can make more. Depending on the state and school board, teachers may or may not receive extra money for extracurricular activities like coaching a team. Most public school teachers belong to unions, which bargain on their behalf over wages, benefits, hours, and conditions of employment. Typical benefits include contributions to a retirement savings plan, dental and health benefits, and life insurance. Benefits for private school teachers can vary from school to school.

Michigan Wages
Occupation: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Level of Experience Hourly Annual

Entry Wage $N/A $43,830 Median Wage $N/A $56,730 Experienced Wage $N/A $70,270
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov

Michigan Outlook
Occupation: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education

Employment

2010 24,820 2020 24,880

Change

Number 60 Percentage 0.3

Annual Average Openings

Total Growth Replacement 684 6 678

Source: Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Labor Market Information http://www.milmi.org

Education
All high school teachers who wish to teach in the public school system must be licensed. For those who teach in private schools, licensure may not be required but it can improve your chances of finding work. Requirements vary from state to state, but in most cases teachers must have at least a bachelors degree, which usually takes 4 years to complete. They also have to complete an approved teacher education program. Teaching programs are offered at many 4-year colleges and include classes in educational theory as well as in-class teaching experience. Most programs are 1 year in length. In some states, vocational and technical teachers, such as those specializing in electronics, welding, or auto mechanics, can be licensed without a bachelors degree. They must be able to demonstrate expertise in their field and complete a required number of education courses. Teachers have to renew their licenses from time to time. In most states, renewal requires taking some continuing education

courses. Many states offer alternative teacher licensure programs for people who have bachelors degrees, but lack the necessary education courses. The programs aim to fill the need for teachers by attracting both recent college graduates and mid-career changers. In some programs, you can begin working under the supervision of experienced teachers while taking education courses part-time for 1 or 2 years.

Related College Programs

Secondary Education and Teaching Education, General

Other Suggested Qualifications

You need a passion for the subjects youll be teaching, but its also essential that you like teenagers, and are sensitive to their needs and the issues they are facing. High school teachers need to be patient and understanding, but also capable of asserting authority and imposing discipline. They must be good communicators who work well with support staff, parents, and other members of the community. Its a good idea to do some part-time or volunteer work with community programs for teenagers.

Suggested High School Subjects

Grade 9 Grade 10

English Mathematics Science Social Studies - Geography Creative Arts Computers Health & Physical Education International Languages
Grade 11

English Mathematics Science Social Studies - History Creative Arts Computers Health & Physical Education / Technology International Languages
Grade 12

English English Mathematics Mathematics Science Science Economics History History Law & Government Law & Government Creative Arts Creative Arts Health & Physical Education / Technology Health & Physical Education / Technology International Languages International Languages
Important Check with your advisor to make sure that your course selections satisfy your graduation requirements. Courses available may vary from school to school.

Sample Career Path

People take different pathways through their careers, but no one starts at the top. This is an example of how the earnings, education and experience requirements, and responsibilities might progress for someone in this occupation.

Level 1

Sample Title Earnings

Probationary Teacher $35,000 to $45,000 a year Bachelors degree Requirements Completion of a teacher education program State teachers license Preparing lesson plans; teaching classes; grading; performing some administrative Responsibilities duties; attending meetings.
Level 2

Sample Title Earnings Requirements

Teacher $40,000 to $84,000 a year At least 1 year of experience Fulfilling teaching duties, plus extracurricular leadership, such as coaching a team or Responsibilities supervising a club; meeting with parents; supervising student teachers.
Level 3

Sample Title Earnings

Assistant Principal / Principal $60,000 to $110,000 a year Many years of experience as a teacher Requirements Possibly a masters degree in your subject area or in education Doing less teaching; having more administrative responsibilities; dealing with Responsibilities serious disciplinary problems and parent complaints; setting school policy; overseeing teachers.