How to become a Secondary School Teacher

How to become a Secondary School Teacher You hate Mondays because you hate your job. You should be a Secondary School TeacherAs a Secondary School Teacher you will be teaching children aged anywhere between 11 and 18, preparing the next generation for their future education and careers. Most secondary school teachers specialise in one or two subjects, and teach pupils of mixed backgrounds and abilities.Typical duties of a Secondary School Teacher include:Preparing lessons and teaching materialsAssessing work handed inEngaging with other education professionalsAttending meetings and trainingDiscussing pupil progress with parents and carersPreparing pupils for exams, such as GCSEs and A-levelsIs it right for me?To be successful as a Secondary School Teacher, being passionate about the subject or subjects you teach is absolutely essential. The attention span of your pupils may vary (two words: double science), so bringing your enthusiasm through and instilling a similar passion in your pupils can make all the difference.Demons trating the ability to manage difficult behaviour will be also be a major advantage.Other key skills include:Excellent interpersonal skillsGood organisational and motivational skillsCreativityPatienceA good sense of humourCareer Progression? Teaching AssistantUp to 20,000 Secondary School TeacherUp to 35,000 LecturerUp to 45,000What's it really like? There’s really very little not to like about being a Secondary School Teacher. You get to talk about the subjects you love and pass on that passion to kids. Of course some may not be as eager to learn as others, and working to a strict curriculum can be tricky, but thinking through these challenges is part of the fun. Add to that the satisfaction you get from seeing pupils fulfil, or even exceed their potential, and there really aren't any more rewarding careers. Get qualifiedTo become a Secondary School Teacher, you will need to start Initial Teacher Training (ITT), either through university-led training (e.g. undergraduate or post graduate award), or through school-led work-based training (i.e. working in a school whilst studying for your PGCE). After ITT, you may gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).