Career Guide: High School Teacher

What Does a High School Teacher Do?

High school students are walking through a season of self-discovery and advanced learning, and it’s paramount that they have exemplary educators. High school teachers have the unique and rewarding responsibility to prepare students, typically ages 14 to 18, for life after graduation. 

On a day-to-day basis, a high school teacher wears many hats and performs various tasks to keep their classroom – often including 30+ students – operating smoothly. They generally teach in specific content areas like history, mathematics, English or science. Within their specialty, they create lesson plans, design curricula, develop materials, grade papers and more. Communication and patience are keys to success. 

If teaching and mentoring teenagers is your passion, secondary education might be the right field for you. This is your unique guide to everything you need to know.

How Do You Become a High School Teacher?

You must obtain education, experience and licensure to teach high school students. It’s worth noting, however, that states have varying teaching license and certification requirements.

How Long Does It Take to Become a High School Teacher? 

The time it takes to become a high school teacher depends on your educational pathway. However, it typically takes around four to five years without a bachelor’s degree. If you do, a transition to teaching program takes a little over a year. Getting a master’s degree, if you choose to, will be an additional year or two. 

What Degree Do You Need to Be a High School Teacher? 

Various degrees can effectively prepare you to succeed as a high school teacher. Some bachelor’s degrees in education hone in on secondary teaching or even a subject you’re interested in teaching. You can also do a more general bachelor’s degree in education and earn a master’s degree in the content area you want to teach. Remember, states sometimes require teachers to have different licenses and certifications, so be sure to check with your state.

Skills and Qualities of a High School Teacher

Every level of education requires a unique skill set to ensure a positive learning environment that cultivates student achievement and success.

• Subject expertise: Advanced knowledge in the content area you teach gives you confidence in the material and the ability to support student curiosity and success. 
• Classroom management: You want to create an environment of respect, patience and understanding. You’ll also need to supervise students while managing challenging scenarios and behaviors effectively. 
• Curriculum planning: One of your top responsibilities is to consolidate various materials into digestible and stimulating lessons, assignments and examinations. 
• Communication: Building a strong rapport with your students creates space for trust. Additionally, you’ll need to establish clear communication pathways with fellow educators, administrators, families and other stakeholders. 
• Empathy: Connecting with empathy allows you to validate the unique challenges of high school students and encourage them to grow. 

Is Being a High School Teacher Worth It?

Teaching high school comes with challenges and rewards as you empower students to flourish into adulthood and beyond.

Benefits of Being a High School Teacher

• Job satisfaction: Teaching a subject you enjoy, having different daily experiences, exploratory field trips and empowering students are just a few of the many elements that make the career fulfilling. 
• Making a difference: Your impact goes beyond the classroom. Students are inspired and led by your example, and you play an integral role in their educational journeys.  
• Work-life balance: Take summers, breaks and holidays off to enjoy time with your loved ones and refresh throughout the school year. 
• Stability: Teaching positions have been in high demand for years, so you can rest assured that openings will be available and your career stability is in check. 

Challenges of Being a High School Teacher  

• Behavioral issues: Students may push boundaries and display inappropriate behavioral expressions. Some may not have a positive home environment and need more support to conduct themselves well in the classroom. 
• Standardized testing pressure: Some school districts prioritize standardized testing scores, so it can feel overwhelming to ensure students grasp your materials and perform well on these exams. 
• Burnout risk: Teachers seldom end the day’s work when the bell rings. Lesson planning, papers to grade and evening student activities can become too heavy of a workload without proper self-care. 

High School Teacher Salary and Job Outlook

Career Advancement Opportunities

Education careers offer great opportunities to advance into administrative and leadership roles. Once you have gained teaching experience, you can continue your education and become a department head, counselor or administrator.

Salary Expectations

In the U.S., the average salary of a high school teacher is $65,220 annually.* This can vary, however, based on state, subject area or whether you’re teaching in a public or private school. When you advance your teaching career to educational leadership, you can use your education and experience to increase your salary.

Sources 

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics