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What does a student teacher do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones
What does a student teacher do

A student-teacher is responsible for assisting their supervising instructors in maintaining the class orderliness during lectures and class activities. Student teachers' duties include helping with lesson plans, organizing learning activities, managing student behaviors, observing classroom procedures, preparing visual materials and other educational equipment, providing feedback for students, and keeping students' records for evaluation. A student-teacher must maintain excellent communication and decision-making skills to set goals and make consistent progress to the class while keeping students engaged.

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Student teacher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real student teacher resumes:

  • Manage RTI reading groups using both basal materials and literature-base novel units.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop lessons that integrate technology into mathematics and language arts for various grade-levels.
  • Enhance student engagement for learning math and science through maintaining collaborative learning classroom environment.
  • Used responsive classroom strategies for Pre-K and first grade.
  • Attend workshops on how to access and create IEPS and bill for services.
  • Evaluate and grade students' critical lens papers, using NYS ELA regent's rubric.
  • Plan and execute daily lessons for 7th grade students; prepare activities to prepare students for NYS ELA assessment.
  • Collaborate with the general education teacher to assist in the successful implementation of IEPS in the general education classroom.
  • Organize lessons in curricular domains (including mathematics, language, communication, practical life skills and community skills).
  • Collaborate and co-taught with cooperating teacher.
  • Supervise education students and co-taught seminar course.
  • Develop and implement thematic units around instructional goals for Pre-K.
  • Differentiate instruction base on results from RTI testing to maximize student achievement.
  • Design and implement an integrative unit on American history and geometry for 5thgraders.

Student teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Student Teachers are proficient in Classroom Management, Math, and Language Arts. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Physical stamina.

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

  • Classroom Management, 20%

    Practiced classroom management skills, useful teaching techniques, and communicated openly with student and provided a successful student-centered learning environment.

  • Math, 13%

    Executed and modified New York State Math Modules as math curriculum which in tremendously developed student's multiplication ability.

  • Language Arts, 8%

    Planned and implemented effective language arts lessons using the Macmillan McGraw-Hill Treasures curriculum.

  • Social Studies, 6%

    Employed modified lesson plans that consisted differentiation for students who have lower reading levels during integrated social studies-literacy lessons.

  • Kindergarten, 5%

    Developed and implemented lesson plans in conjunction with supervising teachers in both Montessori and Direct Instruction Kindergarten classrooms.

  • IEP, 4%

    Attended several team meetings and observed assessment results with parents, eligibility determination, and IEP development.

"classroom management," "math," and "language arts" are among the most common skills that student teachers use at work. You can find even more student teacher responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a student teacher to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what student teachers do because "teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators." Additionally, a student teacher resume shows how student teachers use communication skills: "engaged in professional development, communications with parents, student assessment and participation in staff meetings. "

Patience. Many student teacher duties rely on patience. "kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material," so a student teacher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways student teacher responsibilities rely on patience: "demonstrated patience and understanding while managing challenging children ensured that student homework assignments are reviewed, completed and corrected if necessary. "

Physical stamina. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of student teachers is physical stamina. This skill is critical to many everyday student teacher duties, as "working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "stimulated students in reading, mathematics, and language arts during physical education lessons"

All student teacher skills

The three companies that hire the most student teachers are:

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Compare different student teachers

Student teacher vs. English language arts teacher

English language teachers are in charge of establishing a classroom setting that advance in each student the skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. They assist in the development and recognition of fine literature of all types, inspire students to read extensively for information and recreation, and develop guidelines for analytical judgment of written and oral communication. Also, they attend to students' exceptional needs as well as find out and develop their special talents.

If we compare the average student teacher annual salary with that of an english language arts teacher, we find that english language arts teachers typically earn a $10,552 lower salary than student teachers make annually.Even though student teachers and english language arts teachers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require classroom management, math, and language arts in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, student teacher responsibilities require skills like "kindergarten," "bulletin boards," "professional development," and "student teaching." Meanwhile a typical english language arts teacher has skills in areas such as "language," "english language," "curriculum development," and "public schools." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

English language arts teachers earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $47,098. On the other hand, student teachers are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $54,049.The education levels that english language arts teachers earn slightly differ from student teachers. In particular, english language arts teachers are 11.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a student teacher. Additionally, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Student teacher vs. Middle school teacher

A middle school teacher is responsible for teaching students in grades six to eight, following a curriculum that fits on their grade levels to prepare them for the next advancement. Middle school teachers strategize effective lesson plans, engaging activities, and assessments to test the students' knowledge and understanding of the learning materials. They also observe the personal and developmental behaviors of the students by conducting group activities and performance. A middle school teacher identifies the students' strengths and weaknesses, adjusting the learning approach as needed to cater to each student's needs and difficulties.

Middle school teacher positions earn lower pay than student teacher roles. They earn a $5,672 lower salary than student teachers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Student teachers and middle school teachers both require similar skills like "classroom management," "math," and "language arts" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, student teacher responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "kindergarten," "bulletin boards," "student teaching," and "learning styles." Meanwhile, a middle school teacher has duties that require skills in areas such as "curriculum development," "student achievement," "english language," and "public schools." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, middle school teachers earn a lower salary than student teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, middle school teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $53,168. Whereas student teachers have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $54,049.middle school teachers earn higher levels of education than student teachers in general. They're 9.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for student 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.

Student teacher vs. Language arts teacher

A language arts teacher is responsible for teaching the English language to the students, improving their written and oral English communication by sharing the best practices, conducting engaging lesson plans, assigning group activities, and providing comprehensive educational materials. Language arts teachers strictly adhere to the learning curriculum, as well as monitoring the students' progress through individual evaluation, identifying their areas of improvement, and adjust learning strategies to address the difficulties. They also encourage the students to attend workshops, programs, and other extracurricular activities relating to the subject matter.

An average language arts teacher eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of student teachers. The difference in salaries amounts to language arts teachers earning a $7,066 lower average salary than student teachers.student teachers and language arts teachers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "classroom management," "social studies," and "iep," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, student teachers are more likely to have skills like "math," "language arts," "kindergarten," and "bulletin boards." But a language arts teacher is more likely to have skills like "curriculum development," "grammar," "public schools," and "language."

Language arts teachers earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $48,676. Student teachers earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $54,049.When it comes to education, language arts teachers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to student teachers. In fact, they're 9.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Student teacher vs. High school teacher

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.

High school teachers tend to earn a lower pay than student teachers by an average of $6,594 per year.According to resumes from student teachers and high school teachers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "classroom management," "math," and "language arts. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "kindergarten," "bulletin boards," "parent-teacher conferences," and "student teaching" are skills that commonly show up on student teacher resumes. On the other hand, high school teachers use skills like culinary, k-12, curriculum development, and mathematics on their resumes.high school teachers enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $51,028. For comparison, student teachers earn the highest salary in the education industry.high school teachers reach higher levels of education compared to student teachers, in general. The difference is that they're 6.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of student 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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