Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Overview

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Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

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.

Education

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

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

Yearly Salary

High: $98K
Median: $60K
Low: $40K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
  • Assign lessons and correct homework.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
  • Assist students who need extra help, such as by tutoring and preparing and implementing remedial programs.
  • Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
  • Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
  • Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of middle school programs.
  • Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests.
  • Meet or correspond with parents or guardians to discuss children's progress and to determine priorities and resource needs.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injury and damage.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on staff committees, as required.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from such activities.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Coordinate and supervise extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
  • Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
  • Organize and label materials and display students' work.
  • Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine student strengths and needs.
  • Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
Desmos
Cloud-based data access and sharing software
Google Drive
Computer based training software
Schoology
Data base user interface and query software
Blackboard software
Desktop communications software
Tadpoles
Document management software
Microsoft SharePoint
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Graphics or photo imaging software
JamBoard
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Multi-media educational software
Nearpod
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Operating system software
Apple macOS
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Google Classroom
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Video conferencing software
Zoom
Video creation and editing software
Video editing software
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
Word processing software
Google Docs

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Audio and visual presentation and composing equipment
Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Computer laser printers
Consumer electronics
Video cassette recorders VCR
Laboratory and scientific equipment
Bunsen burners
Laboratory supplies and fixtures
Dissection scalpels
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Optical compound microscopes
Office and desk accessories
Pencil compasses
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Photocopying equipment
Personal safety and protection
Safety gloves
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Video camcorders
Toys and games
Science activity kits

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Education and Training
90%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language
87%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Philosophy and Theology
76%
Importance

Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

Mathematics
74%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Psychology
66%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Computers and Electronics
65%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

History and Archeology
64%
Importance

Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

Public Safety and Security
64%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Customer and Personal Service
62%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Sociology and Anthropology
62%
Importance

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

Top 10 Skills

Instructing
85%
Importance

Teaching others how to do something.

Learning Strategies
85%
Importance

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Speaking
83%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning
78%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring
78%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension
78%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Social Perceptiveness
78%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Writing
78%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Coordination
75%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Top 10 Abilities

Oral Expression
85%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Information Ordering
78%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Oral Comprehension
78%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Speech Clarity
78%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Comprehension
78%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression
78%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Near Vision
75%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Recognition
75%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Top 10 Work Activities

Training and Teaching Others
93%
Importance

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
91%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Coaching and Developing Others
88%
Importance

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing Objectives and Strategies
88%
Importance

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Thinking Creatively
88%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Assisting and Caring for Others
87%
Importance

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
87%
Importance

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
87%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
87%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Getting Information
85%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Set up classroom materials or equipment.
  • Monitor student performance.
  • Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.
  • Evaluate student work.
  • Apply multiple teaching methods.
  • Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
  • Prepare tests.
  • Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
  • Develop instructional objectives.
  • Assign class work to students.
  • Tutor students who need extra assistance.
  • Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
  • Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
  • Maintain student records.
  • Plan educational activities.
  • Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
  • Enforce rules or policies governing student behavior.
  • Encourage students.
  • Create technology-based learning materials.
  • Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
  • Advise students on academic or career matters.
  • Teach others to use technology or equipment.
  • Prepare reports detailing student activities or performance.
  • Document lesson plans.
  • Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
  • Plan experiential learning activities.
  • Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
  • Supervise school or student activities.
  • Coordinate student extracurricular activities.
  • Display student work.
  • Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
  • Distribute instructional or library materials.
  • Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
  • Assist students with special educational needs.
  • Evaluate performance of educational staff.
  • Supervise student research or internship work.

Education

Interests

Social
100%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Artistic
57%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Conventional
52%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Investigative
48%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Realistic
38%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Enterprising
37%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Work Values

Relationships
91%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Recognition
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Support
48%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.