EducationISCO 2330

Mathematics teacher at secondary school

A mathematics teacher at secondary school is a person who teaches mathematics to students, mostly children and teenagers, at secondary level.

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Rate 5 of the 25 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

prepare lesson content

monitor developments in field of expertise

compile course material

execute analytical mathematical calculations

liaise with educational support staff

About mathematics teacher at secondary school

The teacher prepares lesson plans and materials, runs the lessons, monitors students' progress and assesses their knowledge and performance through assignments, tests and examinations. The teacher communicates mathematical information clearly, showing a concept or proof in several ways: as a drawing, as a numerical example, as a symbolic statement. Teaching methods are adapted to a student's capabilities, and students who are behind on the material are helped individually.

A secondary school maths teacher recognises learning difficulties and adjusts how a lesson is run rather than simply adding more exercises. They manage student relationships and maintain students' discipline, resolving conflicts and setting out how work in the class is done. They also keep up with developments in their field of specialisation and in how that field is taught.

Formal requirements are set by national education rules, which may include a degree in the subject taught and teacher training. The job also calls for fluency in analytical mathematical calculations. Subject teachers are specialists, trained in their own area of mathematics.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (25)

mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.secondary school proceduressecondary school proceduresThe inner workings of a secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.monitor developments in field of expertisemonitor developments in field of expertiseKeep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.compile course materialcompile course materialWrite, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...maintain students' disciplinemaintain students' disciplineMake sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...teach mathematicsteach mathematicsInstruct students in the theory and practice of quantities, structures, shapes, patterns, and geometry.communicate mathematical informationcommunicate mathematical informationUse mathematical symbols, language and tools to present information, ideas and processes.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.use mathematical tools and equipmentuse mathematical tools and equipmentUse portable electronic device to perform both basic and complex operations of arithmetic.apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...liaise with educational staffliaise with educational staffCommunicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with th...develop course outlinedevelop course outlineResearch and establish an outline of the course to be taught and calculate a time frame for the instructional plan in accordance with school regulations and curriculum objectives.

Optional (19) — show

mathematical modellingmathematical modellingThe process of establishing a mathematical representation problem, such as equations, of a real-word to provide insights, discover new features about the problematic scenario, better understand the or...adolescent socialisation behaviouradolescent socialisation behaviourThe social dynamics through which young adults live amongst each other, expressing their likes and dislikes and the rules of communication between generations.disability typesdisability typesThe nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled peop...assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.identify learning disordersidentify learning disordersObserve and detect symptoms of Specific Learning Difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in children or adult learners. Refer the student to t...consult student's support systemconsult student's support systemCommunicate with multiple parties, including teachers and the family of the student, to discuss the student's behaviour or academic performance.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.recognise indicators of gifted studentrecognise indicators of gifted studentObserve students during instruction and identify signs of exceptionally high intelligence in a student, such as showing remarkable intellectual curiosity or showing restlessness due to boredom and or ...escort students on a field tripescort students on a field tripAccompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.arrange parent teacher meetingarrange parent teacher meetingSet up joined and individual meetings with students' parents to discuss their child's academic progress and general well-being.monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.prepare youths for adulthoodprepare youths for adulthoodWork with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.keep records of attendancekeep records of attendanceKeep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.perform playground surveillanceperform playground surveillanceObserve students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.identify cross-curricular links with other subject areasidentify cross-curricular links with other subject areasRecognise correlations and overlaps between your subject of expertise and other subjects. Decide on a levelled approach to the material with the teacher of the associated subject and adjust lesson pla...provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does a mathematics teacher at secondary school do?

Mathematics teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, mathematics. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students' progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students' knowledge and performance on the subject of mathematics through assignments, tests and examinations.

What skills does a mathematics teacher at secondary school need?

A mathematics teacher at secondary school needs 25 essential skills, including mathematics, learning difficulties, instructional strategies, secondary school procedures, curriculum objectives.

Will AI replace mathematics teacher at secondary school jobs?

The AI disruption score for mathematics teacher at secondary school is 61/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep records of attendance, use mathematical tools and equipment, execute analytical mathematical calculations. Most resilient: escort students on a field trip, prepare youths for adulthood, manage student relationships.

AI Replacement Risk

61/ 100

High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

keep records of attendance use mathematical tools and equipment execute analytical mathematical calculations

Skills resilient to automation

escort students on a field trip prepare youths for adulthood manage student relationships

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Quick Facts

SectorEducation

ISCO GroupTeaching professionals

Essential Skills25

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