Secondary 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 secondary school level.

Yearly Salary

High: $102K
Median: $62K
Low: $41K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
  • Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • 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.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • 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 objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Assign and grade class work and homework.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
  • 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.
  • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
  • Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of secondary school programs.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
  • Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
  • Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine students' strengths and needs.
  • Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
Geogebra
Cloud-based data access and sharing software
Google Drive
Computer based training software
Schoology
Data base user interface and query software
PowerSchool SIS
Development environment software
Logo design software
Document management software
Microsoft SharePoint
Electronic mail software
Email software
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Multi-media educational software
Nearpod
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Google Classroom
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Video conferencing software
Google Meet
Video creation and editing software
Video editing software
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Audio and visual presentation and composing equipment
Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Desktop computers
Consumer electronics
Television monitors
Laboratory and scientific equipment
Bunsen burners
Laboratory supplies and fixtures
Glass beakers
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
Digital video cameras
Toys and games
Science activity kits

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Education and Training
94%
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.

Customer and Personal Service
79%
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.

Computers and Electronics
72%
Importance

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

Psychology
68%
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.

Sociology and Anthropology
64%
Importance

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

History and Archeology
61%
Importance

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

Communications and Media
60%
Importance

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Administrative
58%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Public Safety and Security
57%
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.

Top 10 Skills

Instructing
83%
Importance

Teaching others how to do something.

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.

Learning Strategies
80%
Importance

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

Reading Comprehension
80%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking
78%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Monitoring
78%
Importance

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

Social Perceptiveness
78%
Importance

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

Active Learning
75%
Importance

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

Coordination
75%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Top 10 Abilities

Oral Expression
83%
Importance

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

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

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

Speech Clarity
80%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
80%
Importance

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

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

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

Written Expression
80%
Importance

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

Deductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

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

Near Vision
78%
Importance

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

Inductive Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Problem Sensitivity
75%
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.

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.

Coaching and Developing Others
89%
Importance

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

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
88%
Importance

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

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
87%
Importance

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

Developing Objectives and Strategies
85%
Importance

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

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
84%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
84%
Importance

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

Working with Computers
84%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information
82%
Importance

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

Thinking Creatively
82%
Importance

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

Detailed Work Activities

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

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
53%
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
47%
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
41%
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
40%
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
100%
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.

Achievement
81%
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
77%
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.

Independence
72%
Importance

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

Support
67%
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.

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.