A high school teacher is a skilled professional who teaches students who are between the ages of 14 to 18 and are typically in the latter part of junior high school to senior high school. They play a key role in preparing high school students to transition into either college or as workforce members. Some of their primary responsibilities include helping high school students become ready for higher education by teaching them higher and more advanced versions of complex subjects, as well as preparing them to become valuable members of society through proper guidance and advice.
Owing to these duties and responsibilities, high school teachers are essential in making sure that their students become not only eligible for college but also thrive in it. Outside of higher education, high school teachers also play an important role in guiding high school students on their journey toward adulthood.
The average workday for a high school teacher can be complex and longer than for other types of teachers. This is because aside from their usual duties and responsibilities of conducting and managing their respective classes, high school teachers also have the duty of helping their students prepare for what comes after high school, which may be college or joining the workforce. Basically, high school teachers often have after-class sessions with their students to help them in that regard.
What Is a High School Teacher?
High school teachers work with students who are between the ages of 14 to 18. Besides teaching high school students more complex subjects, they also teach them how to be responsible adults and effective members of society. In fulfilling their role, high school teachers will typically present their students with more challenging and complicated problems to test their problem-solving and critical thinking skills in preparation for their entry to higher education.
What makes high school teachers unique from other types of teachers is the fact that they are in a position to mold their students to become proper adults and members of society. This includes how to hold oneself as an individual person and how to navigate and overcome the problems that adulthood might throw at them.
These duties make having an excellent high school teacher more than valuable. A great high school teacher is a crucial part of not only the educational system but also the entire country.
Why Become a High School Teacher?
There can be many reasons someone would want to become a high school teacher. Some of the most common reasons are:
- Become a role model – as a guiding light for young children on their way to adulthood, the idea of becoming a positive role model for others is a good motivation.
- Teach specialized and complex subjects – teaching subjects at a higher level can be both satisfying and challenging for most aspiring teachers.
- To make a difference – high school is where young children transition into adults. For some, being a high school teacher means making a difference by guiding young children in their journey to becoming proper adults.
High school is an important time for high school students to grow as young adults and to cultivate essential life skills. During this phase, high school students will be curious and rebellious and will generally have a positive future outlook. It is the duty of high school teachers to properly manage all these.
What are the Responsibilities of a High School Teacher?
The responsibilities of a high school teacher can vary by industry, but typically, these include:
- Crafting lesson plans – lesson plans for high school students must effectively prepare them for both higher learning and joining the workforce.
- Creating a safe learning environment – one of the key duties is to teach high students to refrain from violence and other unsavory social acts.
- Teaching complex subjects – teaching advanced subjects at a higher level.
- Guiding emotional and social growth – being a young adult can be scary and confusing for some, and part of the job of a high school teacher is to help their students have a better understanding of themselves as persons.
How Does a Day In a Life of a High School Teacher Look Like?
High school teachers often start their day by reviewing lesson plans and making necessary adjustments to them depending on how the class progressed during the session. They strive to create a positive and stimulating learning environment for their students while also providing additional support and guidance when needed.
During class, high school teachers typically follow their lesson plans. They must be able to maintain the attention of their students, who may have different levels of understanding or interest in the subject. To do this, high school teachers may use various teaching strategies, such as lectures, group discussions, multimedia presentations, and hands-on activities, to engage their students and promote critical thinking. This time is also when a high school teacher usually tries to identify and assess their students in real-time, with the goal of knowing if any of the students are active and participating in class or lagging behind.
After class is when high school teachers usually grade assignments and tests, update lesson plans, collaborate with colleagues, or communicate with parents. It is also a time for them to reflect on the day’s events and make necessary adjustments to ensure their students are actually learning and growing. Finally, some high school teachers may use their time after class to open themselves to students for counseling, specifically in relation to college or job prospects after graduation.
What are the Common Skills of a High School Teacher?
These are some of the common skills an aspiring high school teacher must have:
- Excellent communication skills – It is crucial that high school teachers can communicate effectively with their high school students to prepare them for college or to become members of the workforce.
- Empathy – to help high school students with their curiosities and ambiguities about their life after high school.
- Effective classroom management skills – high school students can be more difficult to manage than other grade levels.
- Subject knowledge – to arm high school students with the knowledge they need for higher learning.
Where Does a High School Teacher Work?
There are various industries that employ high school teachers. These are some of those industries:
- Secondary schools – the most common industry for high school teachers. It can be public or private, with the fundamental difference being the rules and requirements for conducting a class, the school system, and what lessons must be taught in a classroom.
- Technical and trade schools – high school teachers can use their training and experience to teach a certain trade or technical profession.
- Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals – these types of work environments involve using their knowledge and expertise as high school teachers to help individuals recover from mental and physiological abuse.
Depending on the industry, the students that high school teachers have to manage will vary greatly and might involve working with older adults.
What Is the Salary for a High School Teacher?
The salary of a high school teacher varies by state and industry, but on average, high school teachers make about $69,530 annually.
The highest-paying states for high school teachers are California, New York, and Massachusetts, while the lowest-paying states for high school teachers are Missouri, South Dakota, and Mississippi.
The average entry-level salary for middle school teachers is about $49,090 annually. The factors that can impact this amount typically include location, licenses and certifications, relevant work experience, and educational credentials.
What is the Job Outlook for a High School Teacher?
The average growth rate for high school teacher jobs is about 5% yearly. At the current rate, it is projected that there are about 77,900 job openings for high school teachers every year.
The states with the highest demand for high school teachers are Texas, California, and New York, while the states with the lowest demand for high school teachers are Orlando, Nevada, and Washington.
How to Become a High School Teacher?
The steps to becoming a high school teacher vary by state and by industry, but all will at least have some of these requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree
- A major in a core high school subject
- A teaching certification
- A state license to teach
- A Master’s degree
The usual path to becoming a high school teacher is by obtaining a bachelor’s degree and then obtaining the necessary certification or license to teach. The alternative path is to go through an alternative teacher preparation program approved by the state and then obtain the same teaching license.
How Long Does It Take to Become a High School Teacher?
The time it takes to become a high school teacher may typically take between 5 to 7 years. This includes obtaining a bachelor’s degree, applying for the certification or state license to teach, and, in some cases, a master’s degree.
The alternative path can be shorter since alternative certification programs only typically take one to two years to complete and without including the time it takes to obtain a bachelor’s degree. If, however, you are only starting out with your bachelor’s, the overall time following this path may be longer.
