Secondary school teachers are responsible for providing education to students ranging from 6th to 12th grade. They prepare students for the future by teaching problem solving skills, methods for critical thinking and basic concepts of the required subjects. Secondary school teachers should use proven teaching methods to teach students content that is necessary for passing required state tests. They must also create a positive environment in the classroom that is both disciplined and relaxed when necessary.
When you are composing your secondary school teacher job description, you may want to focus on the ability teachers have to change the lives of students. Specify the need for patience, creativity and good multi-tasking skills. A good secondary school teacher can also help students get excited about education and motivate them to go on and find a career they love.
You want a teacher that is an active listener and learner, has a strong understanding of math, reading and science and has the ability to speak and write clearly. Use the secondary school teacher job description template below to help you write your job description.
Secondary School Teacher Job Summary
Do you love influencing the lives of others by sharing valuable knowledge that they will remember for years to come? Do you find happiness in building a strong foundation for education and adding to the building blocks of a successful career for a student? If so, you may be a good fit as our newest secondary school teacher. The engaging, creative atmosphere in our school is perfect for a teacher who wants to be innovative and take the initiative when it comes to new methods of learning. You will be a valued member of our school team and will begin making a difference to every student in your classes.
Job Responsibilities
- Plan lessons in specific subjects and present them to students using creative teaching techniques in engaging ways daily.
- Assess the weaknesses, strengths and abilities of every student each week and address them appropriately.
- Maintain obvious rules for a disciplined classroom that still allows students to feel comfortable asking questions and brainstorming.
- Adapt lesson plans when class sizes change or students are struggling with a particularly difficult concept.
- Report to department chair or administrator monthly regarding concepts you feel are or are not working, students who require special attention or problems you foresee affecting the ability of students to learn.
- Understand the standardized state tests and adequately prepare students to pass them, building confidence in their ability to demonstrate what they have learned during the school year.
- Contact parents when necessary, communicating any special needs or concerns you feel their child needs or complimenting a student on a good job in class.
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Bachelor’s degree
- One semester of student teaching or internship
- Certification in preferred subject area
Preferred:
- Previous experience teaching
- Additional certifications for additional subjects
Secondary School Teacher Job Responsibilities
Writing a secondary school teacher job description is an involved process, and writing the job responsibilities section is one of the most important parts of that process. A clear-cut responsibilities section will give jobseekers a precise picture of what’s expected of them on the job, and help attract more interest from qualified applicants. Language in this section should be succinct and simple to read.
A bulleted format is ideal when it comes to writing the responsibilities section of your secondary school teacher job description. Bullets will help streamline your document, making it easy to skim and understand quickly. A wall of text tends to intimidate applicants, and may result in diminished applications. Start each bullet with a strong action verb, so candidates can envision themselves performing the daily duties of the job. Also, be sure to limit the section to no more than eight bullets to avoid overwhelming jobseekers.
Take a look at the following secondary school teacher job responsibilities for some examples of what to include in your job description:
- Enforce administration rules and policies among students
- Instruct students through curriculum-approved lectures, demonstrations and discussions
- Maintain accurate records regarding students’ performance, assignments, attendance and grades
- Evaluate and observe the mental and physical health of students and ensure they receive proper care, if necessary
Secondary School Teacher Job Specifications
It’s simple to assume that writing the job qualifications and skills section of your secondary school teacher job description will be quick and easy. After all, it’s the shortest section of the document and seems to merely require a list of the minimum requirements necessary to fulfill the position. However, it’s important to remember that how well you write this section may determine whether you have a wealth of qualified applicants to choose from or an inbox overflowing with candidates unfit for the position.
Take the time to sit down with your organization’s upper management to determine which qualifications and skills are most important for applicants to have. Get a sense of which skills are non-negotiable and which are simply preferred, and separate these into two different lists on the secondary school teacher job description. This will give applicants a solid understanding of whether they have what it takes to fill the position, or if they need to pursue further education first.
Here are a few excellent examples of secondary school teacher job specifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher, with an emphasis in English education
- Exceptional written and oral communications skills
- Solid observation skills, specifically in discerning comprehension
- Fundamental understanding of effective clerical procedures