A Day in the Life of a High School Teacher Back to Top

High school / secondary school teachers help students delve deeper into subjects introduced to them in elementary and middle school, and expose them to more information about the world. Although typically there is a required core curriculum, which often includes English, math, science, and social studies, high school students usually receive a degree of control over their education by way of selecting electives. To accommodate, high school school teachers may specialize in a specific subject, such as Spanish, calculus,U.S. History, or biology. They also may teach subjects that are career oriented, like business or  computer science.

In addition to conducting classroom activities, high school teachers oversee study halls and homerooms, supervise extracurricular activities and accompany students on field trips. They may identify students who have physical or mental problems and refer these students to the appropriate counselors for assistance. High school teachers occasionally assist students in choosing courses, colleges and even careers, occasionally following up with students after graduation. They also participate in education conferences and workshops.

Computers play an integral role in the education high school teachers provide. Resources such as educational software and the Internet expose students to a vast range of experiences and promote interactive learning. Not only do computers aid high school teachers instruct, but competent computer use is a skill necessary for students to develop in this technological era. Through the Internet, students can communicate with other students anywhere in the world, allowing them to share experiences and viewpoints. Students also use the Internet for individual research projects and to gather information. Computers play a role in other classroom activities as well, from solving math problems to learning English as a second language. Teachers also may use computers to record grades and perform other administrative and clerical duties. They must continually update their skills so that they can instruct with and use the latest technology in the classroom.

High school typically stretches from grades 9 to 12, with students ranging from ages 14 to 18, although some may be younger or older by a few years. Teachers must often work with students from varied ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. With growing minority populations in most parts of the country, it is important for teachers to work effectively with a diverse student population. Accordingly, some schools offer training to help teachers enhance their awareness and understanding of different cultures. Teachers may include multicultural programming in their lesson plans to address the needs of all students, regardless of their cultural background.

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