Do you love kids? Are you a good communicator who has a passion for coaching and developing others? Is organization one of your strengths? If so, then a career as a High School Teacher may be perfect for you.
On the other hand, if you don’t enjoy being around children or are interested in an enormous salary, becoming a teacher may not be a good fit for you.
High school teachers help prepare students for life after graduation. They teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market. Read more at Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Check out this article from The Washington Post to find out the 12 Qualities Great Teachers Share.
What do you need to be a High School Teacher?
Education:
A Bachelor’s Degree is required to become a high school teacher.
If you are a high school student and would like to become a teacher, focus on taking classes in the subject(s) you plan to teach.
If you are interested in a career change to the education field and already have a Bachelor’s Degree, you can enroll in an alternative certification program and become a teacher in 1-2 years. Find out more at Education Portal.
Skills:
High School Teachers know about:
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking and Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
Is the field growing?
ONET reports a “Bright Outlook” for High School Teaching Jobs. Careers in this field are expected to have a large number of job openings over the next 10 years.
According to Teach.com, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education is a great example of an area where there is a high demand for great teachers. Teaching might be an ideal career change for an individual with a degree in one of the STEM areas.
What is the pay like?
What’s the Holland Code* for a High School Teacher?
Interest code: SAE- Social, Artistic, Enterprising
| Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. |
| Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules. |
| Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business. |
Source: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2141.00
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a High School Teacher, check out ONET.
Would you want to be a High School Teacher? Why or why not?
*Holland Codes are a way to classify a person based on their skills and interests as well as jobs based on the nature of the work. If you have an interest in knowing what your Holland Code is in order to match yourself to careers to pursue, you can read more about our assessment process.
