Post job
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Social studies teacher skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted experts
Suzanne Tiemann,
Kimberly Lewinski Ph.D.
Social studies teacher example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical social studies teacher skills. We ranked the top skills for social studies teachers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.5% of social studies teacher resumes contained classroom management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a social studies teacher needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 social studies teacher skills for your resume and career

1. Classroom Management

Here's how social studies teachers use classroom management:
  • Used positive and negative reinforcement strategies to maintain effective classroom management in order to utilize the maximum amount of instructional time.
  • Assisted and supervised students, established one-on-one teacher/student relationships, and implemented effective classroom management techniques to maximize student academic/social growth.

2. World History

World History refers to the study of events throughout history, often focusing on what events defined future political, economic, and sociological changes. Due to the vast number of events occurring throughout history, much of world history is split into various time and geographical areas, such as ancient Egyptian and Greek history or colonial British wars.

Here's how social studies teachers use world history:
  • Integrated literacy strategies and technological resources into the instructional framework of American and World History curricula.
  • Created differentiated curricula in U.S./World History, Sociology, Psychology, Geography and American Government subjects.

3. Curriculum Development

Here's how social studies teachers use curriculum development:
  • Customized various quantitative reports monthly to track student success, quality, and improvements through curriculum development.
  • Led and managed a variety of programs and special projects including curriculum development and after-school programs.

4. Professional Development

Professional development means to have the essential training certification or education with the purpose of earning and having a successful career. Every job requires a different set of skills. However, new skills may be needed in the future. Professional development, in this regard, helps people to develop and polish the skills and become efficient workers.

Here's how social studies teachers use professional development:
  • Developed instructional technology professional development, coordinated professional conferences.
  • Coordinated and designed a comprehensive professional development plan focused on student discourse, differentiated instruction, inquiry and reflection.

5. Student Learning

Here's how social studies teachers use student learning:
  • Position Description - Developing and presenting grade level and individualized curriculum to enrich student learning, understanding, and engagement.
  • Developed curriculum along with school administrators and colleagues that incorporated student learning styles and assessment data attained from Power-School program.

6. Classroom Environment

Here's how social studies teachers use classroom environment:
  • Designed and implemented a behavior modification system that motivated others and fostered a prosperous classroom environment for all learners.
  • Established a classroom environment that reflected high expectations for student achievement and conveyed teacher and student commitment to learning.

Choose from 10+ customizable social studies teacher resume templates

Build a professional social studies teacher resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your social studies teacher resume.

7. Social Studies Curriculum

Here's how social studies teachers use social studies curriculum:
  • Participated and helped construct Social Studies curriculum for Economics and World History.
  • Aligned Secondary Social Studies curriculum for 4,400 students for Nationally accredited program

8. Instructional Materials

Here's how social studies teachers use instructional materials:
  • Integrate different teaching strategies and methods into lessons and instructional materials.
  • Performed updates on instructional materials for class instruction and e-Learning.

9. Geography

Geography is the study of lands, geographical features, peoples and their social and economic developments and features, and other elements of planet Earth. This is an important field of science, as it provides insight into a number of things, from how planets are created and how Earth evolved to be such as it is, to how the geography of a place influences and effects the people around it, and how changing one thing might improve life for others.

Here's how social studies teachers use geography:
  • Developed a curriculum and instructed 7th grade students in academic areas including history, American government, geography and political science.
  • Teach a diverse body of students United States History from early colonialism to reconstruction while incorporating geography and government.

10. Instructional Strategies

Here's how social studies teachers use instructional strategies:
  • Utilized a variety of research-based instructional strategies and methods to ensure a rigorous learning environment with high expectations for all students.
  • Implemented differentiated instructional strategies including think-pair-share, cooperative learning groups, and small group learning centers.

11. Student Achievement

Here's how social studies teachers use student achievement:
  • Managed projects that enhanced department and teacher ability to monitor student academic progress on department-wide examinations leading to increased student achievement.
  • Facilitate weekly department meetings and district staff development that emphasize the principles of learning for strengthening instruction and improving student achievement.

12. Economics

Here's how social studies teachers use economics:
  • Developed Economics Curriculum* Developed Behavior Ticket System* Taught many unique lessons including one on the Alamo.
  • Participated in developing Curriculum Audit and content for and Economics and Latin American Studies.

13. Public Schools

Public schools are available for everyone. They are funded and controlled by the government. With state guidance, each school board determines the curricula, finances, and jobs for schools within its borders. The government also decides on academic standards and standardised tests.

Here's how social studies teachers use public schools:
  • Served as an educator in the diverse Prince George's County Public Schools system.
  • Created alternative curriculum for high school students unable to attend public schools.

14. Blended Learning

Here's how social studies teachers use blended learning:
  • Developed and conducted blended learning presentations at state and district conferences.
  • Developed Social Studies lesson plans for a blended learning environment for traditional and online courses in accordance with Colorado standards.

15. Learning Process

Here's how social studies teachers use learning process:
  • Guided the learning process toward the achievement of school curriculum goals and established clear objectives for all lessons and projects.
  • Focus on areas the teacher has self-identified and facilitate the learning process on behalf of the teacher.
top-skills

What skills help Social Studies Teachers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What social studies teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Suzanne TiemannSuzanne Tiemann LinkedIn profile

Professor, Park University

I think that learning is on a continuum. By advancing their degrees and graduate credit, teachers can move up the district’s salary schedule while continuing to perfect their craft.

What type of skills will young social studies teachers need?

Kimberly Lewinski Ph.D.Kimberly Lewinski Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, La Salle University

My hope is that so many people have gotten a glimpse into the life of a teacher this past year and all the hard work that goes into educating children of all levels. It would be wonderful if teachers begin to gain the respect they deserve now that others could see firsthand it's not as easy as it looks. I always said the problem with recognizing the hard work that goes into teaching is that good teachers make it look undemanding and flawless, straight up easy. People can't see the hours of planning and preparation that are required to make those lessons look so effortless.

What technical skills for a social studies teacher stand out to employers?

Brian KayeBrian Kaye LinkedIn profile

Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Planning, Arlington Heights School District 25

The technical skills that I believe will serve incoming teachers will be the ability to engage students in multiple formats for communication and delivery of instruction. There are many platforms for delivering instruction and being able to adapt to new platforms will be helpful. I believe getting comfortable making quick video tutorials for students and parents will also be necessary.

What soft skills should all social studies teachers possess?

Dr. Nina Roofe Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Chair, University of Central Arkansas

Collegiality is the most important soft skill an educator can possess. This is seen in how educators interact with each other and conduct themselves in their schools. Participating in peer teaching consultations objectively and willingly sharing ideas to support new educators shows your dedication to the teaching profession and commitment to mentoring new professionals. Demonstrating flexibility with scheduling and room assignments, sharing materials and space, assisting colleagues, and team teaching when appropriate are examples of collegiality in action. Attending meetings and participating positively and professionally communicates respect for others and the value you place on your peers and supervisor. Leadership skills are essential for navigating parent-teacher conferences and earning the respect of parents. Demonstrating leadership also demonstrates to administration your FCS skills in conflict resolution and financial management. Good communication skills are critical for effective teaching. This relates to our ability to deliver the lesson's content and provide feedback to our students. Teamwork and collaborative problem solving are essential to a functional campus. With collaboration and respectful dialogue, a school can be innovative in resolving challenges. Social and emotional intelligence ensures safety for students and colleagues, promotes a positive learning environment, and provides the foundation for a growth mindset. Finally, cultural awareness is a critical soft skill all educators must achieve. We are required to understand our students to relate to them and effectively educate them across cultures and demographics.

List of social studies teacher skills to add to your resume

Social studies teacher skills

The most important skills for a social studies teacher resume and required skills for a social studies teacher to have include:

  • Classroom Management
  • World History
  • Curriculum Development
  • Professional Development
  • Student Learning
  • Classroom Environment
  • Social Studies Curriculum
  • Instructional Materials
  • Geography
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Student Achievement
  • Economics
  • Public Schools
  • Blended Learning
  • Learning Process
  • Learning Styles
  • Student Performance
  • IEP
  • Language Arts
  • State Standards
  • Mathematics
  • ESL
  • Administrative Regulations
  • Civics
  • American History
  • Student Data
  • Literature
  • Sociology
  • Google Suite
  • PowerPoint
  • Political Science
  • Instructional Techniques
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Google Apps
  • Professional Learning Community
  • American Government
  • Student Government
  • Summative Assessments
  • Cooperative Learning
  • Learning Environment
  • US History
  • PBIS
  • Test Scores
  • Standardized Testing
  • School Administration
  • Social Justice
  • Child Left Behind
  • Syllabus

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.

Browse education, training, and library jobs