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What does a social science teacher do?

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

A social science teacher teaches students about global social issues, social crises, and social progress. They provide information about subjects such as theology, geography, sociology, history, and politics. They also ensure students are aware of significant global issues such as fuel scarcity, global warming, and racism.

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Social science teacher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real social science teacher resumes:

  • Develop and continue to manage a collaborative after-school tutoring program for middle school mathematics students.
  • Attend and participate in IEP's meetings and parent conferences.
  • Advise students about educational issues such as class scheduling, study habits and career planning.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines and requirements of states and schools.
  • Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, base on research findings in sociology and relate disciplines.
  • Implement portfolio grading system in literature classes.
  • Provide appropriate IEP accommodations and collaborate in intervention strategies and IEP reviews.
  • Present comprehensive thematic units in American history, including geography, with a multicultural focus.
  • Serve on numerous committees to incorporate technology, vocabulary, multicultural literature, reading, and writing across all disciplines.
  • Develop a curriculum and instruct 7th grade students in academic areas including history, American government, geography and political science.
  • Integrate technology into curriculum, supplementing class lectures and activities, and developing student research skills.
  • Provide feedback to HS directors regarding academic progress and/or behavioral concerns.

Social science teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Social Science Teachers are proficient in Classroom Management, Philosophy, and Professional Development.

We break down the percentage of Social Science Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Classroom Management, 9%

    Used effective classroom management techniques while developing a positive learning environment.

  • Philosophy, 7%

    Teach theology, philosophy, and social science to middle school students using a curriculum based solely on the Great Books.

  • Professional Development, 7%

    Maintain professional competence through district provided professional development opportunities as well as self-selected professional growth activities.

  • Curriculum Development, 6%

    Served on school committees and taskforces focused on curriculum development, textbook review, and literacy.

  • Instructional Materials, 6%

    Prepared course work, planned class sessions: Selected/integrated appropriate instructional materials for classroom instruction - Organized/delivered classroom lectures to students.

  • Student Learning, 5%

    Created a variety of unique student assessments that accurately demonstrated student learning of course standards.

Most social science teachers use their skills in "classroom management," "philosophy," and "professional development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential social science teacher responsibilities here:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a social science teacher to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what social science teachers do because "teachers must share ideas with their students, other teachers, and school administrators and staff." Additionally, a social science teacher resume shows how social science teachers use communication skills: "assume all responsibilities of regular classroom teacher including assessment of students, communication with parents, professional development and staff meetings. "

See the full list of social science teacher skills

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Compare different social science teachers

Social science teacher vs. Teacher and coach

Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

The annual salary of teacher and coaches is $3,643 lower than the average salary of social science teachers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both social science teacher and teacher and coach positions are skilled in classroom management, professional development, and instructional materials.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between social science teachers and teacher and coach. For instance, social science teacher responsibilities require skills such as "philosophy," "curriculum development," "world history," and "learning environment." Whereas a teacher and coach is skilled in "girls basketball," "varsity football," "student athletes," and "softball." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Teacher and coaches tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $48,513. In contrast, social science teachers make the biggest average salary, $52,005, in the education industry.On average, teacher and coaches reach lower levels of education than social science teachers. Teacher and coaches are 7.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Social science teacher vs. Teacher

A history teacher analyzes all resources and prescribed texts to create quality curricula and lesson plans, collaborate with other teachers, and learn from the classroom management techniques, teaching strategies, and methods. These professionals deliver engaging history-related lessons on various movements, periods, and other history-related figures and events. Moreover, history teachers grade tests, exams, presentations, assignments, and quizzes and call parents and other staff members to schedule interventions and discuss concerns. Also, they use digital technology to keep accurate learners' records and improve learning.

Teacher positions earn lower pay than social science teacher roles. They earn a $4,067 lower salary than social science teachers per year.A few skills overlap for social science teachers and teachers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "classroom management," "professional development," and "curriculum development. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real social science teacher resumes. While social science teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "philosophy," "world history," "english language," and "social justice," teachers use skills like "handle scheduling," "kids," "cpr," and "early childhood development."

On average, teachers earn a lower salary than social science teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $49,700. Whereas social science teachers have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $52,005.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Teachers tend to reach lower levels of education than social science teachers. In fact, they're 10.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for social science teachers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

Technology in the next 3-5 years -- That is a tough question because technology is continually changing. However, I would say whatever learning system their school provides (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, etc.), they should get to know. Also, the technology that involves making/editing videos of teaching would be necessary. The technique that includes exercise, fitness, sports such as heart rate monitors, Fitbits, etc. Finally, a technology that allows interactions between teachers and students and students and students.

Social science teacher vs. History teacher

A math teacher is responsible for instilling analytical and statistical knowledge to the learners. The duties of a math teacher include the development of a student's problem-solving skills, practical application of formulas and logical reasoning, utilization of visual materials and other learning equipment for better comprehension, and evaluation of the students' learning progress by conducting series of tests and activities. A math teacher should also support and encourage students and build their self-confidence by providing regular coachings, managing their learning challenges, and keeping engaging lesson plans.

An average history teacher eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of social science teachers. The difference in salaries amounts to history teachers earning a $1,724 higher average salary than social science teachers.By looking over several social science teachers and history teachers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "classroom management," "professional development," and "curriculum development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from social science teacher resumes include skills like "philosophy," "english language," "adaptive," and "math," whereas a history teacher is more likely to list skills in "public schools," "history curriculum," "american history," and "student data. "

History teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $51,944. On the other hand, social science teachers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $52,005.Most history teachers achieve a similar degree level compared to social science teachers. For example, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Social science teacher vs. Math teacher

Math teachers tend to earn a lower pay than social science teachers by an average of $968 per year.While their salaries may vary, social science teachers and math teachers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "classroom management," "curriculum development," and "instructional materials. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A social science teacher uses "philosophy," "professional development," "world history," and "english language." Math teachers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "public schools," "algebra ii," "mathematics curriculum," and "learning process. "math teachers enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $51,152. For comparison, social science teachers earn the highest salary in the education industry.The average resume of math teachers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to social science teachers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 4.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.9%.

Types of social science teacher

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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