Career Profile: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 1,058,300 people employed as secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education in the United States. The median annual salary is $61,820. Entry level employees earn approximately $46,090 per year and senior employees earn approximately $100,310 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• 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.
• Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
• Assign and grade class work and homework.
• Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
• Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
• 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 areas of need.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
• 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.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
• 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.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
• Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests.
• Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
• Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
• Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
• Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of secondary school programs.
• Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
• Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
• Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
• Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.

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