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Adult education teacher vs high school teacher

The differences between adult education teachers and high school teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an adult education teacher, becoming a high school teacher takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a high school teacher has an average salary of $52,441, which is higher than the $41,280 average annual salary of an adult education teacher.

The top three skills for an adult education teacher include classroom management, math and ESL. The most important skills for a high school teacher are classroom management, professional development, and culinary.

Adult education teacher vs high school teacher overview

Adult Education TeacherHigh School Teacher
Yearly salary$41,280$52,441
Hourly rate$19.85$25.21
Growth rate-6%5%
Number of jobs70,77583,554
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4343
Years of experience42

What does an adult education teacher do?

An adult education teacher teaches and coordinates programs developed for adult learners. Adult education teachers assist learners who stop schooling early to provide for their families. They are advocates for the skills and confidence needed by those who were not able to complete their learning and in preparation for their job. Other than teaching, they make lesson plans so that adult learners can meet their goals. Also, they help students to look for resources that can be used to network in their job community.

What does a high school teacher do?

High school teachers play an essential role in preparing students for college or life following graduation. They typically teach students from the ninth to 12th grades. They plan and develop lessons, evaluate their students' strengths, weaknesses and abilities, and grade their exams and assignments. Other duties include working with individual students to challenge and improve their abilities, developing and implementing classroom rules, and overseeing students outside the classroom. Some of them also take on additional tasks, such as advising academic clubs or coaching sports teams.

Adult education teacher vs high school teacher salary

Adult education teachers and high school teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Adult Education TeacherHigh School Teacher
Average salary$41,280$52,441
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $55,000Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew York
Best paying companyContra Costa CollegeBoston Public Schools
Best paying industryGovernmentProfessional

Differences between adult education teacher and high school teacher education

There are a few differences between an adult education teacher and a high school teacher in terms of educational background:

Adult Education TeacherHigh School Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorElementary EducationEducation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaHarvard University

Adult education teacher vs high school teacher demographics

Here are the differences between adult education teachers' and high school teachers' demographics:

Adult Education TeacherHigh School Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 32.6% Female, 67.4%Male, 46.5% Female, 53.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 3.6% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between adult education teacher and high school teacher duties and responsibilities

Adult education teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Teach students various subjects; writing, language, reading, science, social studies, and math.
  • Assist students in acquiring effective study skills and the self-confidence the student need to reenter an academic environment.
  • Instruct and motivate welfare-to-work clients in computers, high school completion courses, ESOL and with acquiring their GED.
  • Serve as a counselor between the students and school administrators in areas of language, cultural, and social differences.
  • Provide and maintain appropriate social interaction, receptive and expressive language programs, teaching job skills and other vocational subjects.
  • Show more

High school teacher example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate training for the after-school soccer league, manage game schedules and transportation for the school team
  • Plan English conversation and writing classes, grade assignments, design and lead an English summer camp course for freshmen.
  • Manage FBLA, assist with meeting notes, financial records, and agendas for meetings, events, and fundraisers.
  • Coordinate and conduct LPAC meetings, ESL testing, and state testing.
  • Create and implement district-wide general math, pre-algebra, and science curriculum.
  • Facilitate and teach online students in California and Colorado: English, history; economics
  • Show more

Adult education teacher vs high school teacher skills

Common adult education teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Math, 11%
  • ESL, 10%
  • Social Studies, 7%
  • Language, 5%
  • Grammar, 5%
Common high school teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 12%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Culinary, 5%
  • K-12, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 5%
  • Student Learning, 5%

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