Example Teacher Job Description (2022)

Free teacher job description. A teacher is a professional who can understand curriculum needs and design in-classroom educational activities to allow children of all ages to educate themselves. In short, a teacher is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, and virtue. Teachers can instruct on a variety of subjects. From history to math. Or from social studies to science. A teacher can work in a school both privately and publicly and educate students from grade levels K-12. And focus on subjects like language arts, science, math, English, and more.

A teacher can be found within a preschool, elementary school, primary school, special education school, and more. A career professional in education is one that has a qualified teacher status and some previous in-classroom experience.

There are varying types of school teachers that go by different job titles. Those include high school teacher, elementary teacher, elementary school teacher, preschool teacher, primary school teacher, private music teacher, headteacher, and language arts teacher. As well as English teacher, special education teacher, early childhood education teacher, and music teacher. While each job title shares similar duties, they may have specific requirements and duties associated with the focus area.

Related: Teacher Assistant Job Description: Salary, Duties, Skills

Teacher Salary

According to data collected by PayScale in 2019, the national average salary for a teacher is $49,300.00 per year. That equates to a median wage of $13.23 per hour. Entry-level teachers with less than one year of experience can expect to see $9.14 per hour. Those working as teachers for twenty years or longer are reporting wages of at least $23.78 per hour or higher.

• Preschool Teacher: $33,140 median annual salary.
• High School Teacher: $61,801 median annual salary.
• ESL Teacher: $45,544 median annual salary.
• Substitute Teacher $46,958 median annual salary.
• Special Education Teacher: $56,662 median annual salary.

There states where teachers earn more than others. New York, California, Massachusetts, Chicago, and Connecticut—are some of the most expensive places to live in the United States. But they also pay teachers more than other states. Luckily, public school teacher salaries are often a matter of public record (or public policy). And pay increases in nearly all states on a set schedule determined by districts or through the state budgeting.

Teacher Skills

A teacher spends the majority of their day interacting with guests and customers. Therefore, these examples of skills must be a priority. Top teaching candidates have one or more of the following:

• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding ability to turn education into an entertaining experience.
• Social skills that can be applied to education.
• Planning skills that can be applied to curriculum building.
• Organizational skills that can be applied to homework assignments and grading.

Skills for a Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, top candidates in the elementary and kindergarten grade level have the following skills:

• Communication skills. Teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators. They also need to be able to communicate the subject content to students in a manner they will understand.
• Patience. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult.
• Physical stamina. Working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring. Teachers need to be able to physically, mentally, and emotionally keep up with the students.
• Resourcefulness. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must be able to get students engaged in learning. They also should be prepared to adapt their lessons to meet students’ needs.

Skills for a High School Teacher

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a high school teacher should have one or more of the following skills:

• Communication skills. Teachers must share ideas with their students, other teachers, and school administrators and staff. In addition, they need to discuss students’ progress with parents.
• Patience. High school teachers must stay calm in difficult situations, such as when students struggle with material.
• Teamwork: While it may sound simple, teamwork is an important aspect of how a teacher or educator works with the school district. And works with students. Or utilizes resources available to them. For example, a special education teacher needs to be working with service provides or other aides to facilitate progress for a student with disabilities. While teamwork may sound simple, it's vital for educators.
• Data proficiency: Data in the classroom is more than test-taking. Data proficiency is about using multiple learning methods and seeing how students respond. This special education teacher provides "data" and "insights" that can inform a student's IEP. It can help speak with the parents about creating a more inclusive relationship between the educator and the parents.
• Accountability: Teachers need to develop high-quality and informed lesson plans. Administrators rely on the educator to provide these lesson plans and make calibrations to their teaching methods based on data and insights. An ESL teacher or special education teacher will have a more challenging time putting together these lesson plans.
• Resourcefulness. High school teachers need to engage students in learning and adapt lessons to each student’s needs.

What teachers have to say about skills

Additionally, Maria Orlando (EdD) of FaultyFocus.com says that a great teacher is "warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring. This person is approachable, not only to students but to everyone on campus. This is the teacher to whom students know they can go with any problems or concerns or share a funny story. Great teachers possess good listening skills and take time out of their way-too-busy schedules for anyone who needs them."

Related: 5+ Best Teacher Aide Interview Questions & Answers

Teacher Education, Certifications, and Licenses

For a teaching position, education requirements and certification requirements vary by the employer and state. After teaching for at least three years, receiving a National Board Certification is considered one of the highest honors for a teacher.

Teach.org provides insight into the education and certification requirements of each state. For a teaching position, Saying "Alaska requires teachers to take two courses on Alaskan history and multicultural studies" during the first two years of teaching. California requires coursework and passing a test on the U.S. Constitution. Be sure to know the requirements of your credential. Your EPP can help you determine what courses you may still need to take."

Teacher Job Description Sample

Our school is searching for a diligent and energetic teacher who is passionate about education. Our ideal teacher is someone who sees themselves as an educator, counselor, and advisor. Teachers should embody the passion for education on a personal level and in a group setting. Our ideal candidate is a professional who can make education a fun learning experience. We want children to be excited about their education and future.

Teacher Duties and Responsibilities

A qualified teacher can perform the teacher job, responsibilities, and job duties like the following:

• Develop assignments and classroom curriculums that are on par with our state board educational requirements.
• Turn the classroom into an environment conducive to education.
• Build, assign and grade homework assignments.
• Build, assign and grade classroom projects.
• Attend parent-teacher conferences and address children's needs with their mothers and fathers.
• Evaluate students' progress and ensure each student is meeting goals you have for them.
• Plan and implement educational activities.
• Perform the regular administrative duties required to conduct a healthy classroom.
• Deploy multiple teaching methods to ensure students receive world-class education.
• Work closely with students to ensure the student needs are put as a first priority.
• Ensure each child or student clearly understands the purpose of your lesson.
• Provide general instruction and guidance to students and create a classroom environment conducive to learning and education.
• Instruct students on homework assigns and classroom projects.
• Comfortable conducting meetings with parents to review a student's progress and student performance.
• Reviews lesson plans for the week and ensures that the classroom is prepared for the needs of the lesson plans.

Elementary Teacher Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Attends training sessions, passes content assessment, and delivers designated instructional models. And strategies in readiness, reading, mathematics, and/or writing skills to eligible students through the utilization of company-designed materials. And educational strategies instituted by the state and district.
• Develops and maintains individualized skill-appropriate lesson plans.
• Ensures supervision of students at all times, including escorting students safely to and from Company classroom or to mobile/trailer classroom.

High School Teacher Job Duties and Responsibilities

High school teachers can have one focus area. This includes mathematics, English, science, computer science, and other subjects. Depending on the subjects and focus area of study, the duties and responsibilities may change.

• Provide a differentiated learning environment for the class and student body.
• Work collaboratively with faculty/staff, including curriculum and clinical staff to yield positive results for the students.
• Gain support on-campus from other teachers, administrators, curriculum staff, clinical staff, and various support staff.
• Have the freedom to personalize the field of study and make learning fun for the students.

Teacher Requirements

For someone to teach professionally, they will have to have their degree in teaching. It is recommended that the teacher have at least 2 years of prior experience in a classroom setting. Qualifications for a teacher should be the following:

• Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Teaching or Education.
• Prior experience in the classroom. Ideally, 2 years or more.
• Knowledge of working with children grades K-12.
• Experience designing and following curriculums for K-12.
• Exceptional writing skills.
• Exceptional verbal communication skills.
• Ability to stand on your feet for long periods of time.
• Ability to turn the classroom into an environment conducive to education.

Teacher Job Boards

When hiring for a teaching position, it's best to search for prospective teachers using a "niche" job board. Rather than national job boards like Indeed, Monster, or Career Builder. Using a smaller job board can assist in finding a more passionate and higher caliber job applicant. In addition to posting a job description and job advertisement (sometimes referred to as a "job ad") on a smaller job board. Employers and administrators should post available jobs on community job boards.

Community job boards consist of local city and village Facebook groups or community center bulletin boards. Many teaching positions are filled on a local level rather than a national level.

Top teacher job boards

• SchoolSpring
• K12JobSpot
• TeachingJobs.com
• Learn4Good
• SeriousTeachers.com
• TopSchoolJobs
• Teach Away

Principals and administrators are advised to post on these job boards before posting the job advertisement to a national job board.

Teacher Job Description FAQ's

Questions and answers for employers.

What type of job title is this job description template suitable for?

The following job titles:

• High School Teacher
• Elementary Teacher
• Elementary School Teacher
• Preschool Teacher
• Primary School Teacher
• Private Music Teacher
• Head Teacher
• Language Arts Teacher
• English Teacher
• Special Education Teacher
• Early Childhood Education Teacher
• Music Teacher

The job description template should be customized to these job titles. Altering the duties and responsibilities according to the faculty requirements, district requirements, and more.

Related job descriptions

• Teacher Job Description
• Teacher Assistant Job Description
• Substitute Teacher Job Description