Job description template
Teacher Job Description
Teacher job description template: lesson planning, instruction, assessment, classroom management and parent contact, plus licence and qualification rules.
The role in brief
A teacher plans and delivers lessons, assesses students' progress and runs a classroom where every student can learn. In US public schools, teachers need a bachelor's degree and a state licence or certification for the grade level they teach; private schools usually do not require the licence. Name the grade level, the subject and any specialist duties, such as special education or English learners, because the licence and endorsements you ask for follow from them.
- Plan lessons and units that cover the school's curriculum and the state standards for the grade or subject
- Teach the whole class, small groups and individual students, adjusting the approach as each student progresses
- Assess learning through classwork, homework, quizzes and tests, and record grades on time
- Set and keep classroom routines and rules so students know what is expected of them
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- Plan lessons and units that cover the school's curriculum and the state standards for the grade or subject
- Teach the whole class, small groups and individual students, adjusting the approach as each student progresses
- Assess learning through classwork, homework, quizzes and tests, and record grades on time
- Set and keep classroom routines and rules so students know what is expected of them
- Communicate with parents and guardians about progress and concerns, including at parent-teacher conferences
- Differentiate work for students with learning needs and carry out the accommodations in IEPs and 504 plans
- Prepare students for state standardised tests and use the results to adjust teaching
- Supervise students outside the classroom, such as at lunch, recess and on field trips
- Plan with colleagues, special education staff and teacher assistants, and direct the work of any assistant in the room
- Follow child-protection and mandated-reporting duties, and keep student records confidential under FERPA
Required skills
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Nice to have
Qualifications
- 1Bachelor's degree, usually in education or in the subject taught, with a completed teacher preparation programme
- 2A valid state teaching licence or certification for the grade level and subject (required in all US public schools)
- 3Student teaching or another supervised classroom placement
- 4Passes in the state's general teaching and subject-knowledge tests
- 5A clear background check, as the state and district require
- 6Commitment to the professional development needed to renew the licence
Work environment
Work environment
Career growth
Teachers move into lead teacher, department head or grade-level chair, instructional coach, curriculum specialist and mentor roles. With several years in the classroom, a master's degree in education leadership and the state's administrator licence, many go on to assistant principal and principal posts. Others add endorsements to move into special education or ESL teaching.
Common questions
What are the roles and responsibilities of a teacher?
A teacher plans lessons, teaches them to the whole class and smaller groups, assesses and grades students' work, manages classroom behaviour and keeps parents informed. Teachers also adapt work for students with learning needs, prepare students for state tests and supervise them outside lessons. General education teachers take part in IEP meetings for students with disabilities who learn in their classroom (34 CFR 300.321).
What qualifications does a teacher need?
In the US, a bachelor's degree, a teacher preparation programme with student teaching, passes in the state's tests and a state licence for the grade level; every state also offers an alternative route for people who already hold a bachelor's degree. In India, a pass in a Teacher Eligibility Test (the CTET, run by CBSE, or a state TET) is one of the essential qualifications NCTE set for teaching classes I to VIII. In England, Qualified Teacher Status is a legal requirement for teaching in maintained schools.
What should a teaching job description include?
The grade level and subject, the licence and any endorsement required, the start date and contract length, duties beyond teaching such as duty periods, coaching or clubs, and the support a new teacher gets, such as a mentor or planning time. Teachers compare these details across postings, so leaving them out costs you applicants.
How is a teacher different from a teaching assistant?
The teacher is responsible for planning, teaching and assessing, and holds the licence. A teaching assistant reinforces lessons with individuals and small groups, helps manage the room and supervises students, working under the teacher’s direction. Assistants in US public schools usually need two years of college or an associate’s degree, not a teaching licence.
How do you assess teacher candidates before hiring?
Ask for a short demonstration lesson with real or role-played students, review a lesson plan they have written, and give a classroom scenario, such as a student refusing work or a parent complaint, to hear how they would respond. References from someone who has observed them teach, such as a mentor teacher or principal, add evidence an interview cannot.
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