How To Become a High School Teacher
What Is a High School Teacher?
Adolescents have many challenges to navigate. During a time of significant personal growth, they must also work toward completing their secondary education and preparing for postsecondary education, vocational training or direct entry into the workforce. High school teachers are responsible for guiding teenagers and instructing them in a particular subject area. While teaching about their subject area, high school teachers also strive to teach students how to think critically, reason analytically and communicate with proficiency.
If you are passionate about education and interested in working with adolescents, you may be wondering how to become a high school teacher. Before deciding on any particular career path in education, it’s important to understand the education, experience and licensure requirements for your intended career. Below, you can explore the typical high school teacher requirements, but do note that specific requirements can vary from state to state and school to school.
What Does a High School Teacher Do?
A teacher’s primary responsibility is instructing students and giving them the tools necessary to think critically. In high school, teachers generally specialize in one or sometimes two subject areas, such as mathematics, biology, history or language arts. Some teachers may take on additional responsibilities, such as coaching a sports team or supervising an afterschool club, program or other activity. Although specific duties can vary from day to day, teachers generally handle the following:2
High school teachers generally teach students in grades 9 through 12.2 It’s common for teachers in secondary education to teach classes of varying grades, although some classes may be sorted by ability level and may have students of different grade levels. Some teachers focus on a core subject area, such as English or math, while others teach enrichment or elective courses, such as physical education, art or music.2
All states require aspiring high school teachers to obtain a state-issued teaching license or certification in order to teach in public schools.3 While private schools are not legally required to hire only licensed teachers, they do typically prefer to hire teachers with at least a baccalaureate-level education in their subject area.3 In addition, some private schools may prefer to hire licensed teachers. Since the specific requirements can vary from state to state, it’s important to research the requirements for the state in which you plan to work. In general, however, your career pathway might look like this:
As a future educator, you’ll want to focus on getting good grades in your classes, especially in the subject area you’d like to teach. Additionally, take some time to talk to your teachers about your future plans. You may be able to ask them for guidance and ask any questions you may have about the career. Since teachers need strong communication skills,3 you may also wish to take classes and extracurricular activities that allow opportunities to practice your communication skills.
What education is needed to become a teacher after you graduate from high school? Plan on earning at least a bachelor’s degree in teaching with a focus on your chosen subject area. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.3 Some states also require teachers to earn a master’s degree after obtaining licensure and a teaching job.3
Education degree programs that lead to initial teacher licensure typically have student teaching components, similar to internships or practicum/field experience hours in that they earn practical, hands-on experience.3 As a student teacher, you’ll be placed in a classroom under the supervision of an experienced licensed teacher. You’ll observe how the teacher works with their students and you’ll gradually take on classroom responsibilities such as working with students individually and in small groups. Eventually, you’ll be able to plan your own lessons and deliver them to the class.
There are no specific entry-level roles that you must first fulfill before pursuing a teaching position. Indeed, you can apply to a teaching job as soon as you’re able to meet the requirements. However, some graduates start out by working as substitute teachers for one or more school districts before finding a permanent teaching position.
All teachers who wish to work in public schools must obtain a state-issued teaching license or certification. Private schools are not required to hire only licensed teachers;3 however, some of them may prefer to do so. Before enrolling in a teaching degree program, you should ensure that it will allow you to meet the requirements for licensure in the state in which you plan to teach.
Becoming a high school teacher can be a meaningful choice for you if you’re passionate about the importance of education. However, it’s important to fulfill the eligibility requirements for this career path. Do your due diligence and research your state’s high school teacher requirements before embarking on your career path.
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Best Degrees for High School Teachers
While all high school teachers generally need a bachelor’s degree,3 there are a range of degrees that may allow for a career in teaching. For example, you could earn a teaching degree in physical education, mathematics, English, history or other subjects. Think carefully about your academic strengths and weaknesses, as well as your preferences, before choosing a subject area to specialize in.
Regardless of which specific degree program you choose, you can expect to take a deep dive into instructional methods, lesson planning, classroom management techniques and similar topics, as well as your subject-specific area. You’ll work through coursework and complete a student teaching component to gain hands-on experience.
High school teachers need to instruct students in a particular subject area and encourage them to become engaged participants in their own education. Teachers generally strive to inspire a lifelong love of learning in their students and offer guidance to students who are just beginning to plan their future.
You may wish to consider the following degree programs:
Bachelor’s Programs
- Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Science in Biology for Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Theatre for Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Science in Physical Education
Master's Programs
- Master of Arts in English with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Science in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Arts in History with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Education in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities
- Master of Education in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in STEM
Doctoral Programs
Other Programs
High school teachers need a diverse skill set that can enable them to effectively teach in their subject area, manage the classroom and guide the cognitive and socioemotional development of adolescents. Aspiring teachers can benefit from cultivating a number of hard and soft skills, including the following:2,3,4
- Communication
- Patience
- Resourcefulness
- Leadership
- Organization
- Curriculum development
- Instructional planning
- Classroom management
- Student assessment
Median Annual Wage
How much does a high school teacher make? Salaries can vary depending on factors like years of experience, credentials, geographic location and school district. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), high school teachers made a median annual wage of $65,220 as of May 2023.5
Advancement Opportunities Within High School Teaching
There is room for advancement within the teaching profession. An experienced high school teacher may serve as a mentor to new teachers and student teachers, and they may become a lead teacher. Other teachers may decide to obtain the additional credentials necessary to become school administrators (such as high school principals), instructional coordinators or school counselors.3
Blend your passion for education with a purpose for your future career. Explore the wide range of teaching degrees for secondary education available at GCU.
1 Hanson, M. (2024, July 14). U.S. Public Education Spending Statistics. Retrieved Nov. 25, 2024.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). What High School Teachers Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Nov. 5, 2024.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a High School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Nov. 5, 2024.
4 Indeed Editorial Team. (2023, Dec. 5). How To Become a High School Teacher: Requirements and FAQs. Indeed. Retrieved Nov. 5, 2024.
5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), High School Teachers as of May 2023, retrieved on Nov. 5, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as high school teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
6 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers, retrieved Nov. 5, 2024.
7 Sealey-Morris, C., B.A. (2024, Oct. 25). 25 Highest-Paying Alternative Careers for Teachers. College Consensus. Retrieved Nov. 5, 2024.
8 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Nov. 14, 2024.