Middle School Teachers

Summary

Middle school teachers help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary schools to prepare them for the more difficult subjects and lessons in high school.

Quick Facts: Middle School Teachers
2010 Median Pay	$51,960 per year
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Internship/residency
Number of Jobs, 2010	641,700
Job Outlook, 2010-20	17% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	108,300

What Middle School Teachers Do

Middle school teachers educate students, most of whom are in sixth through eighth grades. They help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the more difficult lessons they will learn in high school.

Work Environment

Middle school teachers work in public and private schools. They generally work school hours when students are present, and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most do not work during the summer.

How to Become a Middle School Teacher

Middle school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

Pay

The median annual wage of middle school teachers was $51,960 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of middle school teachers is expected to grow by 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth is expected because of both declines in student–teacher ratios and increases in enrollment. However, employment growth will vary by region.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of middle school teachers with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

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What Middle School Teachers Do About this section

Some middle school teachers specialize in teaching a particular subject, such as science or math.

Middle school teachers educate students, most of whom are in sixth through eighth grade. They help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the more difficult lessons they will learn in high school.

Duties

Middle school teachers typically do the following:

• Plan lessons that teach students subjects such as biology and history
• Assess students to evaluate their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses
• Teach students as an entire class or in small groups the lessons they have planned
• Grade students’ assignments to monitor their progress
• Communicate with parents about their child’s progress
• Work with individual students to challenge them and overcome their weaknesses
• Prepare students for standardized tests required by the state
• Develop and enforce classroom rules
• Supervise students outside of the classroom—for example, at lunchtime or during detention

Middle school teachers generally teach students from sixth to eighth grades. However, in some school districts, they may teach students as early as fourth grade or as late as ninth grade.

In many schools, middle school teachers are responsible for only some of the subjects their students learn throughout the day. For example, one teacher may be responsible for teaching English and social studies while another is responsible for teaching math and science.

Some middle school instructors teach special classes, such as art, music, or physical education. 

Often, students change classrooms several times a day to attend lessons in different subjects. As a result, middle school teachers in these schools see several different classes of students throughout the day.

In some schools, middle school teachers teach all the subjects for one class of students the entire day.

In either type of school, teachers use time during the day when they do not have classes to plan lessons, grade assignments, or meet with other teachers and staff.

Some middle school teachers work in teams that teach the same group of students. These teachers meet to discuss students’ progress and to plan future lessons.

In some schools, teachers of English as a second language (ESL) or English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) work exclusively with students who are learning English. These students are often referred to as English language learners (ELLs.) ESL and ESOL teachers work with students individually or in groups to help them improve their English skills and to help the students with assignments for their other classes.

Middle school teachers also work with special education teachers to adapt lessons to the needs of students with learning disabilities and emotional or behavioral disorders who are taught in traditional classes and to monitor these students’ progress. In some cases, middle school teachers may co-teach lessons with special education teachers. For more information, see the profile on special education teachers.

Some teachers maintain websites to communicate with parents about their students’ assignments, upcoming events, and grades. For students, teachers may create websites or discussion boards to present information or to expand a lesson taught in class.

Some middle school teachers coach sports teams and advise student clubs and groups, whose practices and meetings frequently take place before or after school.

Work Environment About this section

Middle school teachers may advise clubs or meet with students and parents before or after school.

Middle school teachers held about 641,700 jobs in 2010.

The majority of middle school teachers work in public and private schools.

Most states have tenure laws, which mean that after a certain number of years of teaching satisfactorily (the probationary period), teachers have some job security.

Seeing students develop new skills and gain an appreciation for knowledge and learning can be very rewarding. However, teaching may be stressful. Some schools have large classes and lack important teaching tools, such as computers and up-to-date textbooks. Most teachers are held accountable for their students’ performance on standardized tests, which can be frustrating. Occasionally, teachers must cope with unmotivated or disrespectful students.

In 2010, a large number of middle school teachers belonged to unions—mainly the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.  

Work Schedules

Middle school teachers generally work school hours when students are present. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school. Teachers who coach sports or advise clubs generally do so before or after school. Teachers often spend time in the evenings and on weekends grading papers and preparing lessons. 

Many work the traditional 10-month school year, with a 2-month break during the summer. Some teachers teach summer programs. Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks in a row, are on break for 1 week, and have a 5-week midwinter break.

How to Become a Middle School Teacher About this section

Middle school teachers need good communications skills in order to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators.

Middle school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

For information about teacher preparation programs and certification requirements in your state, contact the U.S. Department of Education.

Education

All states require public middle school teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Many states require middle school teachers to major in a content area, such as math or science. Other states require middle school teachers to major in elementary education. Those who major in a content area typically enroll in their university’s teacher preparation program and take classes in education and child psychology.

Teacher education programs teach prospective middle school teachers how to present information to students and how to work with students of varying abilities and backgrounds. Programs typically include fieldwork, such as student teaching.

Some states require middle school teachers to earn a master’s degree after receiving their teaching certification.

Teachers in private schools do not need to meet state requirements. However, private schools typically seek middle school teachers who have a bachelor’s degree and a major in elementary education or a content area.

Licenses and Certification

All states require teachers in public schools to be licensed, or certified, as it is frequently referred to. Those who teach in private schools are not usually required to be licensed.

Certification of middle school teachers varies considerably from state to state. In some states, they are certified to teach elementary school grades, which are typically first through 6th grades or first through 8th grades. In other states, they are certified to teach middle school grades, which include 6th through 8th grades. Still other states provide middle school teachers with a secondary school or high school certification, which often includes 7th through 12th grades.

Requirements for certification also vary by state. However, all states require at least a bachelor’s degree. They also require completing a teacher preparation program and supervised experience in teaching, which is typically gained through student teaching. Some states require a minimum grade point average.

States typically require candidates to pass a general teaching certification test, as well as a test that demonstrates their knowledge of the subject they will teach.

Teachers are often required to complete annual professional development classes to keep their license. Most states require teachers to pass a background check, and some states require teachers to complete a master’s degree after receiving their certification.

All states offer an alternative route to certification for people who already have a bachelor’s degree but lack the education courses required for certification. Some alternative certification programs allow candidates to begin teaching immediately after graduation, under the supervision of an experienced teacher. These programs cover teaching methods and child development. After they complete the program, candidates are awarded full certification.

Other programs require students to take classes in education before they can teach. Students may be awarded a master’s degree after completing either of these programs. For more information about alternative certification programs, contact the National Center for Alternative Certification.

Advancement

Experienced teachers can advance to become mentors or lead teachers. In these positions, they often work with less experienced teachers to help them improve their teaching skills.

With additional education or certification, teachers may become school counselors, school librarians, or instructional coordinators. Some become assistant principals or principals, both of which generally require additional education in education administration or leadership. For more information, see the profiles on school and career counselors, librarians, instructional coordinators, and elementary, middle, and high school principals.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Teachers must collaborate with other teachers and special education teachers. In addition, they need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators.

Instructional skills. Middle school teachers need to be able to explain difficult concepts in terms that students can understand. In addition, they need to be able to get students engaged in learning and adapt lessons to each student’s needs.

Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. Middle school teachers must be patient when students struggle with material.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of middle school teachers was $51,960 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,990, and the top 10 percent earned more than $80,940.

Middle school teachers generally work school hours when students are present. They often spend time in the evenings and on weekends grading papers and preparing lessons. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school. Teachers who coach sports or advise clubs generally do so before or after school.

Many work the traditional 10-month school year, with a 2-month break during the summer. Some teachers teach summer programs. Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks in a row, are on break for 1 week, and have a 5-week midwinter break.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of middle school teachers is expected to grow by 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth is expected because of both declines in student–teacher ratios and increases in enrollment. However, employment growth will vary by region.

From 2010 to 2020, the student–teacher ratio is expected to decline. This ratio is the number of students for each teacher in the school. A decline in the ratio means that each teacher is responsible for fewer students, and, consequently, more teachers are needed to teach the same number of students.

In addition, the number of students in middle schools is expected to increase over the coming decade, and the number of classes needed to accommodate these students will also rise. As a result, more teachers will be required to teach the additional classes of middle school students.

Although overall student enrollment is expected to grow, there will be some variation by region. Enrollment is expected to grow fastest in the South and West. In the Midwest, enrollment is projected to hold steady; the Northeast is projected to have declines. As a result, employment growth for middle school teachers is expected to be greater in the South and West than in the Midwest and Northeast.

Despite expected increases in enrollment, employment growth for middle school teachers will depend on state and local government budgets. When state and local governments experience budget deficits, they may lay off employees, including teachers. As a result, employment growth of middle school teachers may be somewhat reduced by state and local government budget difficulties.

Job Prospects

From 2010 to 2020, a significant number of older teachers is expected to reach retirement age. Their retirement will create job openings for new teachers. The short supply of teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) and special education teachers will further result in job opportunities.

Middle school teachers with education or certifications to teach these specialties should have better job opportunities. For more information on middle school special education teachers, see the profile on special education teachers.

Supply and demand for middle school teachers are roughly in balance, meaning that there are about as many jobs as there are applicants. However, there is wide variation by region. Some regions of the country, such as the Northwest, are experiencing a surplus of teachers. Other regions, such as the Southeast, are experiencing a shortage. Furthermore, opportunities should be better in urban and rural school districts than in suburban school districts.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about teaching and becoming a teacher, visit

U.S. Department of Education

American Federation of Teachers

National Education Association

For more information about teacher preparation programs, visit

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Teacher Education Accreditation Council

For more information about alternative certification programs, visit

National Center for Alternative Certification