EducationISCO 2330

Secondary school teacher

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

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Check yourself in a minute: secondary school teacher

Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

cooperate with education professionals

monitor developments in field of expertise

compile course material

liaise with educational support staff

manage student relationships

About secondary school teacher

As a secondary school teacher, you will educate and inspire young people, typically ages 12-18, in your specialized subject area within a school setting. Your days will involve preparing engaging lesson plans, delivering instruction using varied teaching strategies, and continuously assessing student progress through tests, assignments, and examinations. You will work individually with students who need extra support, adapt your teaching methods to accommodate different learning abilities, and maintain classroom discipline while fostering a positive learning environment. Beyond teaching, you will collaborate with other education professionals, communicate with parents, and stay current with developments in your field of expertise. This role is deeply rewarding for those passionate about education, offering the opportunity to shape young minds and make a lasting impact on students' futures.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a secondary school teacher.

Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development

Prepare comprehensive lesson plans that align with curriculum objectives and educational standards
Compile and organize course materials, resources, and supplementary learning content for students
Monitor developments and innovations in your field of expertise to keep curriculum current and relevant

Instruction and Teaching Delivery

Deliver engaging lessons using varied instructional strategies suited to different learning styles
Demonstrate concepts and skills effectively to help students understand complex subject matter
Adapt teaching methods and materials to students' capabilities and individual learning difficulties

Student Assessment and Feedback

Assess student knowledge and performance through examinations, tests, and assignments regularly
Provide constructive and timely feedback to help students understand their progress and areas for improvement
Monitor students' educational developments and learning progress throughout the school year

Student Support and Classroom Management

Provide learning support and one-on-one instruction to students who struggle with course content
Maintain student discipline and create a positive, inclusive classroom environment conducive to learning
Manage student relationships professionally and support their social and emotional development

Collaboration and Professional Development

Cooperate with other education professionals to support student success and school objectives
Liaise with educational support staff and counselors to address student needs and challenges
Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and continued education in pedagogical practices

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

Facilitate teamwork and collaboration among students through group projects and cooperative learning activities
Communicate regularly with parents or guardians regarding student progress and behavior

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Must-Have Skills (Advanced)

CommunicationAdvanced

Developing PeopleAdvanced

Supporting Skills

Creative ThinkingIntermediate

AdaptabilityIntermediate

Digital FluencyIntermediate

Check your gaps

European Skills Framework

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

Essential (26)

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.cooperate with education professionalscooperate with education professionalsCommunicate with teachers or other professionals working in education in order to identify needs and areas of improvement in education systems, and to establish a collaborative relationship.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.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.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.provide learning supportprovide learning supportProvide the necessary support to students with general learning difficulties in literacy and numeracy to facilitate learning by assessing the learner’s development needs and preferences. Design formal...monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.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.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.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.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.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.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.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.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...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...pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.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...

Optional (63) — show

classical languagesclassical languagesAll dead languages, no longer actively used, originating from various periods in history, such as Latin from Antiquity, Middle English from the Middle Ages, Classical Maya from the Pre-colonial Americ...biological chemistrybiological chemistryBiological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.musical instrumentsmusical instrumentsThe different musical instruments, their ranges, timbre, and possible combinations.historyhistoryThe discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.modern languagesmodern languagesAll human languages still actively used today.assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...literary theoryliterary theoryThe different genres of literature and the way they fit into specific scenes.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...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.e-learninge-learningThe strategies and didactical methods of learning in which the main elements include the use of ICT technologies.computer sciencecomputer scienceThe scientific and practical study that deals with the foundations of information and computation, namely algorithms, data structures, programming, and data architecture. It deals with the practicabil...statisticsstatisticsThe study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of ...linguisticslinguisticsThe scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.sociologysociologyThe group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.economicseconomicsEconomic principles and practices, financial and commodity markets, banking and the analysis of financial data.language teaching methodslanguage teaching methodsThe techniques used to teach students a foreign language, such as audio-lingual, communicative language teaching (CLT), and immersion.pronunciation techniquespronunciation techniquesThe pronunciation techniques to properly and understandably pronounce words.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.ecologyecologyThe study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.rhetoricrhetoricThe art of discourse that aims at improving the ability of writers and speakers to inform, persuade or motivate their audience.sport games rulessport games rulesThe rules and regulations of sport games such as football, soccer, tennis, and others.music literaturemusic literatureLiterature about music theory, specific music styles, periods, composers or musicians, or specific pieces. This includes a variety of materials such as magazines, journals, books and academic literatu...chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...ethicsethicsThe philosophical study that deals with solving questions of human morality; it defines and systemises concepts such as right, wrong, and crime.geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...teach principles of literatureteach principles of literatureInstruct students in the theory and practice of literature, more specifically in reading and writing techniques, etymology and literary analysis.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...teach arts principlesteach arts principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of arts and crafts and the fine arts, whether recreationally, as part of their general education, or with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future ca...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.use pedagogic strategies for creativityuse pedagogic strategies for creativityCommunicate to others on devising and facilitating creative processes through the use of a range of tasks and activities appropriate to the target group.teach chemistryteach chemistryInstruct students in the theory and practice of chemistry, more specifically in biochemistry, chemical laws, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and theore...teach business principlesteach business principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of business practices and principles, and more specifically business analysis processes, ethical principles, budget and strategy planning, people and resou...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 ...teach physicsteach physicsInstruct students in the theory and practice of physics, and more specifically in topics such as the characteristics of matter, creating energy, and aerodynamics.identify talentidentify talentIdentify talents and involve them in a particular sport.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.teach biologyteach biologyInstruct students in the theory and practice of biology, more specifically in biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, developmental biology, haematology, nanobiology, and zoology.monitor children's physical developmentmonitor children's physical developmentRecognise and describe the development of children, observing the following criteria: weight, length, and head size, nutritional requirements, renal function, hormonal influences on development, respo...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.teach philosophyteach philosophyInstruct students in the theory and practice of philosophy, and more specifically in topics such as morality, philosophers throughout history, and philosophical ideologies.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.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.teach mathematicsteach mathematicsInstruct students in the theory and practice of quantities, structures, shapes, patterns, and geometry.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.teach historyteach historyInstruct students in the theory and practice of history and historical research, and more specifically in topics such as history of the Middle Ages, research methods, and source criticism.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.teach music principlesteach music principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of music, whether recreationally, as part of their general education, or with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future career in this field. Offer co...keep records of attendancekeep records of attendanceKeep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.teach languagesteach languagesInstruct students in the theory and practice of a language. Use a wide range of teaching and learning techniques to promote proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in that language.develop digital educational materialsdevelop digital educational materialsCreate resources and instructional materials (e-learning, educational video and audio material, educational prezi) using digital technologies to transfer insight and awareness in order to improve lear...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...teach geographyteach geographyInstruct students in the theory and practice of the subject geography, and more specifically in topics such as volcanic activity, the solar system, and population.teach digital literacyteach digital literacyInstruct students in the theory and practice of (basic) digital and computer competency, such as typing efficiently, working with basic online technologies, and checking email. This also includes coac...teach astronomyteach astronomyInstruct students in the theory and practice of astronomy, and more specifically in topics such as celestial bodies, gravity, and solar storms.instruct in sportinstruct in sportProvide appropriate technical and tactical instruction related to the given sport using varied and sound pedagogical approaches to meet the needs of the participants and achieve the desired objectives...oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.teach economic principlesteach economic principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of economics and economic research, and more specifically in topics such as production, distribution, financial markets, economic models, macroeconomics, a...use IT toolsuse IT toolsApplication of computers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment to storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating data, in the context of a business or enterprise.literatureliteratureThe body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.philosophyphilosophyThe different philosophical systems, their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices and their impact on human culture.teach religious studies classteach religious studies classInstruct students in the theory and practice of religious studies, more specifically in critical analysis applied to ethics, various religious principles, religious texts, religious cultural history, ...perform playground surveillanceperform playground surveillanceObserve students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.

Related Occupations

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

Frequently asked questions

What does a secondary school teacher do?

What skills does a secondary school teacher need?

A secondary school teacher needs 26 essential skills, including learning difficulties, instructional strategies, secondary school procedures, cooperate with education professionals, facilitate teamwork between students.

Will AI replace secondary school teacher jobs?

The AI disruption score for secondary school teacher is 15/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: sport games rules, keep records of attendance, modern languages. Most resilient: musical instruments, escort students on a field trip, classical languages.