What Do Secondary School Teachers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Secondary School Teachers teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty. They also prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• 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.

We asked Secondary School Teachers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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76% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 84% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Secondary School Teachers prepare materials and classrooms for class activities. They enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.

A typical day for a Secondary School Teacher will also include:

• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
• Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.

We asked some Secondary School Teachers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	22% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	47% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	83% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	45% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	40% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	50% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Secondary School Teachers also attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required. They may also prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Secondary School Teachers Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children’s progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs. They might also Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students’ progress.

In addition, they Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students’ behavioral and academic problems.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students’ needs and progress.

To some Secondary School Teachers, it is also their responsibility to Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Secondary School Teacher, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm

http://www.cec.sped.org/

http://www.naset.org/

http://www.aft.org/