What does a teacher do?
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.
Teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real teacher resumes:
- Work closely with co-teacher to manage and co-teach curriculum to a large group.
- Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
- Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
- Develop social studies and geography curriculum.
- Provide kindergarten readiness in approaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and introductory math skills.
- Attend and participate in ESL professional development activities, conferences/workshops, curriculum/program planning, & special events and activities.
- Position: for kindergarten and preschool
- Teach and prepare pre-school age children kindergarten readiness skills.
- Observe and co-taught lessons that align to the common core 5th grade standards.
- Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e, accidents, medication, and allergies).
- Integrate lessons with district's curriculum and co-taught various lessons with another intern teacher.
- Create a different theme every week incorporating music, art, cooking, science or drama.
- Assist emotionally disturb students (grades k-12) with extreme behavioral issues in classroom and school bus.
- Cooperate and participate in the planning and evaluation of the school program with the drama and theater.
- Teach lessons assign by instructor, assist instructor to design syllabus and activities, correct students' homework.
Teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Teachers are proficient in ESL, Handle Scheduling, and Kids. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Communication skills, and Patience.
We break down the percentage of Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- ESL, 17%
Designed course and taught ESL Teaching Methodology to university students preparing for teaching careers in all academic disciplines.
- Handle Scheduling, 15%
Handle scheduling of guests for classes and birthday party registration.
- Kids, 12%
Present math educational tools to tutors of nationally recognized, Whiz Kids tutoring organization.
- Classroom Management, 7%
Implemented classroom management/behavioral techniques effectively.
- CPR, 5%
Maintain CPR Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification.
- Curriculum Development, 4%
Provided academic instruction to emotionally and behaviorally challenged adolescents; participated in curriculum development
Common skills that a teacher uses to do their job include "esl," "handle scheduling," and "kids." You can find details on the most important teacher responsibilities below.
Physical stamina. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a teacher to have is physical stamina. Their role and responsibilities require that "working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring." Teachers often use physical stamina in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "educated pre-k students with various activities which included: physical education, art, math and science. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling teacher duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators." According to a teacher resume, here's how teachers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "developed communication applications curriculum/teacher for 11th and 12th grade ; language arts 9th and 11th grade. "
Patience. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of teachers is patience. This skill is critical to many everyday teacher duties, as "kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assisted the primary instructor in an early learning environment by demonstrating skills in communication, instruction, patience, and creativity. "
The three companies that hire the most teachers are:
- KinderCare Education2,930 teachers jobs
- Learning Care Group290 teachers jobs
- North Country School258 teachers jobs
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Compare different teachers
Teacher vs. Assistant language teacher
An assistant language teacher is in charge of performing support tasks for language teachers. Their responsibilities include preparing teaching and coursework materials, assessing student performance, taking attendance records, and holding lectures as a substitute for the teacher. They may also help students who are having trouble following and adjusting to the lessons, assisting them as needed. Above all, an assistant language teacher must monitor the students' progress, all while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a teacher are more likely to require skills like "handle scheduling," "kids," "curriculum development," and "math." On the other hand, a job as an assistant language teacher requires skills like "english-language," "language curriculum," "elementary schools," and "direct care." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Assistant language teachers earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $31,308. On the other hand, teachers are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $49,700.On average, assistant language teachers reach lower levels of education than teachers. Assistant language teachers are 8.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Teacher vs. Substitute school teacher
A substitute teacher is liable for providing learning instruction and managing classroom settings in the absence of the regular teacher. They are responsible for checking student attendance, explaining homework, and maintaining classroom cleanliness. They generally report to the principal at the school to which they are assigned. They plan and prepare lesson plans and teach students a variety of subjects, including English, science, and mathematics. Moreover, they ensure that the students are disciplined, and talk with parents and discuss the progress.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real teacher resumes. While teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "handle scheduling," "cpr," "curriculum development," and "geography," substitute school teachers use skills like "substitute teaching," "after-school program," "grades k-12," and "k-8."
Substitute school teachers may earn a lower salary than teachers, but substitute school teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $37,999. On the other hand, teachers receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $49,700.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Substitute school teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than teachers. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Diana Jones
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University
Teacher vs. Math and science teacher
Math and Science Teachers are responsible for imparting knowledge and developing a student's skills in mathematics and science. Their duties include creating lessons, producing learning materials, sourcing supplies, and grading examinations and quizzes. They develop student progress reports, provide constructive feedback, and work with parents to inform a student's educational development. Math and Science Teachers must ensure awareness of special educational needs and health and safety regulations related to subject teachings.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, teachers are more likely to have skills like "handle scheduling," "kids," "cpr," and "geography." But a math and science teacher is more likely to have skills like "science curriculum," "instructional strategies," "physical science," and "trigonometry."
Math and science teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $49,024. On the other hand, teachers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $49,700.math and science teachers typically earn higher educational levels compared to teachers. Specifically, they're 8.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Teacher vs. Summer school teacher
A Summer School Teacher is a teacher who works during the summer period. They develop and implement schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives. Generally, they have the same duties as a school teacher.
Types of teacher
Updated January 8, 2025
