A Secondary Education Career
Secondary Teacher Job Description
Secondary education includes both middle school and high school – some of the most important years for educational preparation before entering college and/or the workforce.
Secondary education teachers specialize in specific academic areas such as mathematics, history, science, foreign languages or English.
Typically, middle schools teach grades six through eight, and high schools teach grades nine through twelve.
Is a Teaching Career in Secondary Education Right for You?
If you enjoy working with young adults and want to help students expand their skills and knowledge as they prepare for the real world, teaching secondary education may be the right career choice for you. A typical day might include anything from discussing the symbolism in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness in English literature class to discussing the importance of the Bronze Age in history class – it all depends on the subject you teach. It helps to be well organized, patient and great at writing, speaking and listening.
Also keep in mind that you have an opportunity to make more money if you coach extracurricular activities or sports, such as debate, key club, basketball or cheerleading. Coaching extracurricular activities or sports is not only a great way to make a little extra money, but also a great way to become involved in your school's community. So, if you want to increase your income while helping students excel outside of the classroom, you can contribute in an after-school hobby or sport.
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Secondary Teacher Credential and Certification Requirements
To become a secondary teacher, you need to obtain your bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and pass an approved teacher training program with a prescribed number of subject and education credits. Most students obtain their bachelor's in the subject area of their expertise and then choose to earn either their teaching credential or master's degree in education. Several states require teachers to earn a master's degree in education within a specified period after they begin teaching, so make sure to research the Department of Education's secondary education credential requirements in the state where you plan to teach.
Secondary education teaching credential coursework covers everything from learning classroom management to adapting teaching methods to different students' learning styles. Remember to follow these secondary teacher credential guidelines:
- Make sure the program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
- Research whether you will be required to pass certain tests in order to become certified as a secondary education teacher.
- Find out the special requirements, such as foreign language training, that you must fulfill in order to teach in certain states.
- Research whether there are requirements for teaching middle or high school grades in the state where you plan to teach. This will help you determine which credential requirements you need to obtain.