What does a Middle School Teacher do?
Middle School teachers educate students typically in 6th through 8th grade and help them build on fundamentals taught in elementary school to prepare them for high school. They create lesson plans to teach students appropriate subjects and assess and evaluate their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. They teach lessons to an entire class or, when applicable, to small groups and grade assignments and exams. They communicate with parents or guardians about students’progress and work individually to help overcome their specific learning or social challenges.
Middle school teachers prepare students for standardized tests as required by their state and develop and enforce classroom rules. They are responsible for specific subjects and may also work with special education teachers to adapt lessons, and they may co-teach with special education teachers. Middle School teachers must be comfortable using and learning new technology and need a bachelor's degree and State Certified state-issued certification or a license.
- Encourage students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
- Assist students on an individual basis with their work.
- Cooperate with school personnel in providing for student welfare.
- Collect data, maintain accurate records, and communicate progress with parents weekly.
- Responsible for developing week-long themes, activities and goals.
- Prepare and sustain a positive classroom/lab and school environment for children.
- Assist with before and after school responsibilities as assigned.
- Assist in ordering, preparing, administering and correcting instructional materials.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
- Schedule use of and delivery of audio-visual materials and equipment.
- Maintain a positive, accepting attitude in working with students.
- Help with and/or monitor student's completion of classroom assignments.
- Strive to implement by instruction and action the district's philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.
- Provide reinforcement techniques to keep students focused on task.
- Monitor and supervise student activities. promote respect, support diversity, explain social norms and disciplinary consequences, de-escalate personal confrontations, and enforce district policies and rules of conduct.
- Aid and guide students as they move throughout the build.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in education and certification to teach.
- A natural leader and problem solver.
- Can collaborate with others for projects and tasks.
- Demonstrated critical thinking and sound work ethic.
- Dedicated to continuous improvement.
How much does a Middle School Teacher make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$51,288
/ yrMiddle School Teacher Career Path
Learn how to become a Middle School Teacher, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Middle School Teacher Insights
Woodburn School District“None for em because I love what I do and I'm very good at class management (key for teaching for many years with zero stress)”
“There is not a great work/life balance as we are expected to do quite a bit outside of school hours.”
Pasco County Schools“If you enjoy making the same pay year after year with limited salary increases than this is a great employer.”
Church of Scotland“Felt privileged to work for an organisation with integrity and a mission to serve others.”
apetito“A few good people but not many”
London Borough of Hounslow“Sustainable work and life balance”
Success Academy Charter Schools“I learned a lot about my boundaries and limits and quitting felt good.”
“Not able to achieve a high pay scale.”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Middle School Teacher
- Substitute Teacher
- Elementary School Teacher
- Teacher
- High School Teacher