How to Teach Secondary School

High school teachers have an important job as they prepare students to attend college or enter the workforce. While they specialize in particular subject areas such as English, math or history, they are still required to know basic principles of education such as learning styles and teaching techniques. There are a number of things to learn and do for individuals who want to teach secondary school.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Earn a bachelor's degree. Most states, such as Illinois, Oregon and Pennsylvania, require high school teachers to have a bachelor's degree in secondary education with endorsements in the subject areas they want to teach. These endorsements are obtained by taking a required number of advanced college courses in the specific subject area. Not all states have the endorsement system. Texas requires teachers to obtain their bachelor's degree in the subject they plan to teach, and then take education and teacher training courses to prepare them for teaching in the classroom.

2. Obtain your license to teach. Each state requires some type of teaching license or certification before you are able to step into the classroom. While the licensing or certification process varies from state to state, expect to complete an application, pay a licensing or certification fee and complete one or more tests that prove you have the knowledge and expertise to teach secondary school.

3. Learn about the curriculum at the school where you'll be teaching. Much of the curriculum within a school is set by state and federal standards that require schools to meet certain achievement scores with their students to continue receiving funding. It's best to meet with your principal or another teacher in your core subject area to learn what you are expected to teach before you begin developing lesson plans and activities.

4. Create your lesson plans and activities. Although there may be topics you are required to teach, there are still ways to make them fun and engaging for students. Develop activities that get students involved in the subject matter, and help them relate what they're learning in the classroom to real life.

5. Instruct students in your class. Once the school year begins, it's time to begin teaching the high school students in your classes. Use the lesson plans and activities you developed in advance, and encourage feedback from students, administrators and other teachers to help you improve your teaching skills as you become more comfortable in the classroom.

Tips & Warnings

• Each student has a preferred learning style, which is how they learn best. Target the activities in your classroom to visual, auditory or tactile learning. Network with other high school teachers in your subject area to get ideas for new activities for your classroom.

References

• Sample endorsement requirements from Northern Illinois University
• Endorsement information from Willamette University
• Texas licensing and degree information

Resources

• Secondary Education Major Information from Penn State University
• National Education Association

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