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What is a peer teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones

Peer teachers are mainly a friend, advisor, and role model to students and help them learn about their health and well-being.

They will have to be knowledgeable about physical and mental health to be able to effectively discuss and raise awareness on topics such as suicide prevention, HIV awareness, and other essential areas of well-being. Peer teachers engage students in taking action to reach out to others when they have problems and check out resources that may help them.

To be a successful peer teacher, candidates need to have leadership skills, public speaking and communication skills, research skills, and ability to connect with their audience. They also have to be up to date with the current studies and research relating to physical and mental health.

Being a peer teacher is a valuable and fulfilling work experience for those truly interested in helping the youth. Their career path may also lead to working in non-profit organizations, medical institutions, and the public sector.

What general advice would you give to a peer teacher?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

General advice: I would encourage graduates to find a mentor who can guide them in their careers, stay on top of the latest technology, not be too hard on themselves, be flexible, be team players, be present, and care about their students.
ScorePeer TeacherUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $49,811

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.45%

Asian 3.55%

Black or African American 7.82%

Hispanic or Latino 11.42%

Unknown 3.96%

White 72.79%

Gender

female 43.37%

male 56.63%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Peer teacher career paths

Key steps to become a peer teacher

  1. Explore peer teacher education requirements

    Most common peer teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    73.1 %

    Master's

    14.7 %

    Associate

    6.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific peer teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Classroom Management13.66%
    Professional Development11.38%
    Learning Environment7.14%
    Instructional Materials6.59%
    K-125.94%
  3. Complete relevant peer teacher training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New peer teachers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a peer teacher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real peer teacher resumes.
  4. Research peer teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Lead professional development for colleagues on integrating graphing calculators into the curriculum.
    • Design and implement lesson plans in drawing, collage, and printmaking for children and adults.
    • Introduce campers to basic printmaking, oil and acrylic painting, as well as collage work and abstract art.
    • Work closely with adapt sections and develop appropriate lesson activities for learning success by differentiating instruction according to student IEP.
  5. Prepare your peer teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your peer teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a peer teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable peer teacher resume templates

    Build a professional peer teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your peer teacher resume.
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  6. Apply for peer teacher jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a peer teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first peer teacher job

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Are you a peer teacher?

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Average peer teacher salary

The average peer teacher salary in the United States is $49,811 per year or $24 per hour. Peer teacher salaries range between $37,000 and $66,000 per year.

Average peer teacher salary
$49,811 Yearly
$23.95 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do peer teachers rate their job?

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3 stars

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Peer teacher reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

It keeps healthy as well as helps in maintaining the better fitness ,here in physical education there is no much money required to excel in it. No special area required for the recreational games.

Cons

laziness and indiscipline is the worst things that make students ugly in their profession.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days

Cons

Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Ability to share knowledge and guide students in learning new things.

Cons

Some students' non-challant attitude towards learning.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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