Middle School Teachers
Additional Information
Duties
The following is a sample lesson plan for middle school teachers:
- Instruct pupils in a subject by drawing up lesson plans.
- Learn more about your pupils by doing assessments.
- Instruct the entire class or a smaller group of students on the material they've prepared.
- Assign and grade students' homework and tests.
- Inform the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the progress of their kid.
- Learn how to work one-on-one with children to address unique learning difficulties
- Preparing pupils to take state-mandated assessments.
- Make rules for the classroom and make sure they are followed.
- Keep an eye on kids when they're not in class, such as at lunch or detention.
From sixth through eighth grade, middle school is the average span. While middle school may begin in fourth grade in certain areas, it may continue through ninth grade in others.
Certain subjects are often taught by middle school instructors. As an illustration, a single instructor may spend the day instructing arithmetic to multiple separate courses. Other middle school instructors, on the other hand, teach all subjects to one class at a time.
Teachers utilize their free time throughout the workday to plan lessons, grade assignments, or meet with colleagues and staff.
Teachers that specialize in teaching English to pupils from different languages conduct ESL or ESOL classes in several middle schools. Assisting students with their English language proficiency while also assisting them with class responsibilities is the focus of ESL and ESOL teachers. They can deal with students individually or in small groups.
Teachers in the middle school grades may also collaborate with special education specialists to create lesson plans that are more inclusive. Co-teaching with special education instructors is possible in some circumstances for middle school teachers.
Teachers must be able to use and learn new technologies without difficulty. Students' coursework and forthcoming activities can be communicated to parents using text messaging programs. Teacher-created websites and discussion boards can be used by students to deliver information or enhance lessons given in the classroom.
The practices and meetings of several middle school organizations and sports teams sometimes take place before or after school.
Education
Public middle school teachers in every state must have a bachelor's degree at the very least. Math and history majors are among the topic areas that many states require middle school teachers to specialize in. Middle school teachers in certain states are required to have a bachelor's degree in elementary teaching.
Teacher education programs at community colleges often prepare future middle school educators to communicate effectively with pupils of varying skills and backgrounds. Most programs include a student-teaching component that allows participants to get classroom teaching experience under the supervision of a mentor teacher. Visit Teach.org to learn more about teacher preparation options in your state.
Following certification and employment, several states require middle school teachers to get a master's degree.
Teachers at private schools are exempt from the necessity to achieve state standards. Most private schools, on the other hand, prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree with a concentration in elementary education or a related field.
Registration, Certification, and Licensing
To teach in a public school, all instructors must be qualified or licensed in the grade level they would be teaching. The majority of the time, private school teachers are exempt from the state's teaching credential requirements. In most states, certification or licensure requires the following:
- A least 3.0 grade point average is required for a bachelor's degree.
- Successful completion of a student teaching program.
- Passing a criminal background check.
It is necessary to pass a teaching certification exam, as well as one for the topic they will teach.
Go to Teach.org to find out what your state's certification requirements are. Professional development seminars for teachers are frequently necessary in order to maintain teacher certification or licensure. After gaining their certification and landing a job, several states require newly certified teachers to earn a master's degree.
All states provide an alternate route to certification or licensure for those who already hold a bachelor's degree but lack the education courses necessary for certification or licensure. Candidate teachers in alternative certification programs may be able to begin their careers right away, working under the guidance of a more experienced colleague. Teaching strategies and child development are covered in these courses.
Candidates who successfully complete the program receive full certification. Other programs need students to attend education coursework before they can begin teaching in these other programs.
Qualities that are critical to success
The ability to communicate effectively. Sharing ideas with students, colleagues, and administrators is essential for instructors. Parents must also be updated on the status of their children's academic advancement.
Patience. Teaching middle school pupils who are struggling with subjects or causing disruptions in the classroom requires teachers to maintain their composure.
Power and endurance. Being a teacher to eighth graders may be draining. Physical, mental, and emotional development of pupils necessitates teachers' constant attention.
Resourcefulness. In order to keep pupils interested in their studies, teachers in the middle school grades must personalize their instruction to meet the specific requirements of their students.
Pay
In May 2020, middle school teachers earned an average yearly salary of $60,810. There are two extremes of earnings in each given occupation: those earning more than the median and those earning less. 10% of workers made less than $40,930, while 10% of those in the top tenth made over $98,840.
Job Projections
Middle school teachers can expect a 7 percent increase in employment between 2020 and 2030, which is in line with the overall growth rate for all occupations.
